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Not Your Normal Baseball Thread [BCochran]

Baseball_Field_CF_View_Dusk.jpg

So I had originally planned to do the final "Offseason Moves" post, and I still will, but something was brought to my attention and I wanted to write about it.

The story was actually originally brought to my attention by my mother. Years of being forced to watch all levels of baseball eventually turned her into a rabid fan. Then another article, the one I'm going to respond to, was tossed at me via Moron, Hostage and all around good person @osoloco11. So you can thank, or blame, her for this post.

THE ORIGINAL STORY:

The US portion of the Little League World Series was won by an inner city team from the Southside of Chicago, Jackie Robinson West. They did so in dramatic fashion and it was a great story. Right up until it was discovered that they cheated. The team included players from outside the geographical region that that team was supposed to draw from. There"s been a lot of debate over this, but I'm pretty cut and dry on it. The rules were broken. It is indeed hard to watch the kids have that title stripped, but actions have consequences. Rules exist. You don't just get to break them because you feel like it.

THE ARTICLE:

Now on to what I want to respond to. There is a site where content is provided pretty much entirely by those directly involved in various sports. The Players' Tribune. That site posted an article written by standout Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen. In that article, McCutchen writes about something sort of related to the "controversy". The plight of lower income kids in baseball.

If you want to read the article in full, and I highly recommend you do, it’s here.

I, as you might guess, disagree with his take and wish to respond. So here we go.

Baseball used to be the sport where all you needed was a stick and a ball. It used to be a way out for poor kids.

Uh...no, no it wasn't. I started playing baseball almost 30 years ago. I can't ever remember a time where there wasn't discussion on how hard it was to spread the sport of baseball. It takes a lot of players. You need a lot of space. And most importantly, it's expensive. It always has been. Bats have always been expensive and, especially when you're dealing with growing kids, have to be replaced regularly. Cleats are a constant expense. Gloves last a while, but are still not cheap. Then you get into helmets and balls and sign up fees and uniforms and...well, you get the point.

When you're a kid from a low-income family who has talent, how do you get recognized? Now, you have to pay thousands of dollars for the chance to be noticed in showcase tournaments in big cities.

This is the crux of McCutchen's argument. That there is no other option other than expensive travel teams. That you can't get noticed, you can't get anywhere without these traveling teams. That's simply not true. Frankly, it's silly.

I spent quite a lot of time in the sport. I have friends who are college coaches. I was a college asst at one point. I know folks who've been drafted and even one who made it all the way to the show. Guess what? They didn't get noticed at a traveling tourney. Players aren't found at tourneys where 12-15 year olds are playing. You know how you catch a college coach's attention? High school ball. That's where they see you. That's where they find you. If you're good, if you're good enough, you will be found. Maybe not by that big D1 program you think you should play for, but if you've got the talent, there's a place for you.

And the same holds true for pro scouts. They see you in high school. They see you in college. That's where a very large portion of their scouting is done.

McCutchen then spends some time going on about his personal experience and the hardship that low income families face in making decisions over where to spend their money and what they can afford to spend on sports. This isn't something that just applies to baseball. It's true across the board. Every sport costs money and typically, it costs quite a bit of it.

He continues to put forward that these traveling teams, and remember that in this case we’re talking about 11 to 13 year olds, are the only way out for these kids. And that "When people talk about the Jackie Robinson West team and blame the adults who took in kids from outside the boundaries that the Little League organization set, remember that those adults may be saviors to those kids."

Saviors.

He wants us to think that these 11 to 13 year olds are worrying about earning a living, about clawing their way up a ladder, about providing for their families and that these adults who run the teams/organizations, that are picking up expenses and paying ways are the only option the kids.

Maybe these adults are good people trying to help kids out. Maybe they’re sharks trying to get their hooks into a potential pay day. Maybe...maybe...maybe...

What I do know is that while these traveling teams have become all the rage, they are not the only way to get noticed. They are not the only way to grab the attention of college and pro scouts.

I never took part in these teams or tournaments. I played in a rec league. Spring and Winter. If I had a good season, I made the AllStar team in the Summer. When I got to 7th grade, I played for my school. Junior High, JV and then Varsity. Guess what? I got noticed. Originally by the small NAIA school that was my first choice, Flagler College, and then by a big time program, the University of Florida. I was offered athletic and academic money, spots on rosters. Ultimately I chose Flagler. And by my senior year, I got noticed by the scouts. (An injury cost me my junior year and I never regained the velocity that I previously had and that the scouts said I needed.) Once again, without playing on any other team than my college’s team.

Do you know what gets you noticed? An extraordinary amount of God given talent and hard work. There's no other way. There's no magical shortcut. Talent. Hard work.

One of the things that most annoys me about McCutchen's article is that even if you buy what he's selling, he offers absolutely nothing to solve the problem. There's not a single suggestion on what to do to give low income kids a chance to play ball.

Yes, there is a problem with trying to get low income, especially urban, kids interested in the sport. Money. Bodies. Space. These things aren't new. These problems have been well documented. McClutchen doesn’t offer anything new to the argument, he simply rehashes old topics while applying them to a situation that has nothing to do with income.


Anyway, thanks for letting me blather on. There will, eventually, be that final post on offseason moves.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 06:45 PM




Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 strike one

Posted by: seamrog at February 22, 2015 06:39 PM (m4MJN)

2 Whee!

Posted by: Turd Ferguson at February 22, 2015 06:39 PM (VAsIq)

3 That reminds me of the time Bill O'Reilly, Hillary Clinton and I were under fire... Get comfortable, it's quite a tale.

Posted by: Brian Williams at February 22, 2015 06:40 PM (gwG9s)

4 Cheaters gonna cheat.

And when caught?

They make up BS reasons why they HAD to cheat.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 22, 2015 06:41 PM (YrXgo)

5 Pro pitcher Mark Mulder, who is from a Chicago suburb, claims JRW was poaching players when he was in little league.

Mulder was born in 1977, so it's been a while.

Posted by: seamrog at February 22, 2015 06:46 PM (m4MJN)

6 Well said. I have a three friends that have or had their boys playing private-league or star-league. They travel like crazy and the kids seem to go from one "season" to another, almost year-round. The oldest of the 3 boys I know of, just got a scholarship offer at some small school in Arkansas, but like you said, he played HS ball in addition to these special leagues. These kids are playing their legs off and really have been baseball focused for years. Their parents have completely focused on it too. Great amount of work all around.

Posted by: Yip at February 22, 2015 06:48 PM (84SRe)

7 What, oh I just woke up. Was this one of The Prophet Ace's movie reviews?



But the kids were Black, rules don't apply.. Get with the program here.

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 06:49 PM (0FSuD)

8 Damn 243 posts till we can make this a gun thread.


Going to be a long night.

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 06:50 PM (0FSuD)

9 Come thou, almighty ba-seb-all, and deliver us from the evil bastidball.

Posted by: Eromero at February 22, 2015 06:51 PM (go5uR)

10 Yeah Nip, Everyone in a "special" group doesn't
have to follow any rules.

Lotsa "special" groups out there.

Posted by: seamrog at February 22, 2015 06:53 PM (m4MJN)

11 Oh. Fuck Pixy very fucking much. I just wrote a long thoughtful piece that didn't involve copying anything from anywhere that might have a stray character and I still got that fucking red fucking error.

Posted by: Bandersnatch at February 22, 2015 06:54 PM (1xUj/)

12 Watch our Nat'l Championship Tourney. Our pitchers are hot. Watch once and you'll come...again and again.

Posted by: NCAA Womens Softball at February 22, 2015 06:54 PM (gwG9s)

13 >>>Do you know what gets you noticed? An extraordinary amount of God given
talent and hard work. There's no other way. There's no magical shortcut.
Talent. Hard work.<<<

I'm not a huge baseball fan, but how about this kid, Pat Venditte? This guy has a special talent. Let's hope he can refine and develop it for the majors.

Posted by: Fritz at February 22, 2015 06:54 PM (dVmLD)

14 That was a tremendous analysis. Sharp, concise, insightful and highly readable.

But of course, it would've been funnier if it was written as an Abbott & Costello Baseball routine.

Seriously though? That's why I didn't participate in any youth sports. Just too damn poor. Coaches from several sports in H.S. ended up getting rather pissed at me for "not going out for the team", as I could tear it up during regular P.E. class.

Ever know a 5'10", 155 lb. kid who could max out the leg-press on the Universal Gym? Had quickness, too.

But, the realities of life intervened. Accelerated credits at school, so I could get out at 1 pm every day, and then off to work till 11 pm.

Kept the rent paid, and some food on the table.

Wouldn't trade what I'd learned on the job(s) though. It's served me well, lo these many years.



Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

Posted by: Jim at February 22, 2015 06:55 PM (RzZOc)

15 Even after this story broke, Mayor Tiny Dancer awarded the JRW team with championship rings.

At taxpayer expense.

Why yes there is a mayoral election on Tuesday.

Why do you ask ?

Posted by: seamrog at February 22, 2015 06:56 PM (m4MJN)

16 I think the Oscars to me define LIV's.


Wife is watching with baited breath. She has no idea who our mayor is. She does know both our US Senators, personally, so she has that going for her.


(Mayor is a democrat)

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 06:58 PM (0FSuD)

17 Cool, a baseball post.


For the first time ever, I'm creating a couple of fantasy teams on mlb.com. I've only really started watching baseball again the last couple of years, so I'm not going at this hardcore, just to make the games a bit more interesting.

Posted by: Stateless Infidel at February 22, 2015 07:00 PM (AC0lD)

18 Still no gum thread......


I haz a sad.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 22, 2015 07:00 PM (YrXgo)

19 What amazes me about the Oscars? It's a made up award to promote movie attendance and the academy sells it on TV and makes money.




Pretty damn good marketing.



Wonder why book publishers don't make up some fake award and have a show?

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 07:02 PM (0FSuD)

20
I can't ever remember a time where there wasn't discussion on how hard it was to spread the sport of baseball. It takes a lot of players. You need a lot of space. And most importantly, it's expensive. It always has been. Bats have always been expensive and, especially when you're dealing with growing kids, have to be replaced regularly. Cleats are a constant expense. Gloves last a while, but are still not cheap. Then you get into helmets and balls and sign up fees and uniforms and...well, you get the point.

It depends on what kind of baseball we're talking about. I know you were a college scholarship player and the air is rarified up there.

When I was a kid -- and you will be pleased to be getting off my lawn -- baseball was not expensive and it's what every American boy did. Your parents bought you a glove at six, and maybe you needed a new one at eleven. It cost $20 maybe for a little league season. Bats were made out of trees, not double-walled steel-carbon composite so of course every kid had a bat.

You played in the back yards of kids who didn't have a lot of trees in their yard. It's just what American boyhood was.

Now because either God hates me or the world has changed I raised two boys to young adulthood who have never enjoyed a game of baseball. If they were suspected of being German spies and asked to explain the infield fly rule they'd both be shot on sight.

But I in my advanced middle age play on a coed beer drinking softball team and feel 14 years old when I do.

Posted by: Bandersnatch at February 22, 2015 07:02 PM (1xUj/)

21 Good post.


Yeah, I'm sick and tired of hearing whining about poor people this and poor people that.

Posted by: rickl at February 22, 2015 07:02 PM (sdi6R)

22 The only good news about Oscar night?


It's raining like shit and LA needs the rain.

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 07:03 PM (0FSuD)

23 You'd think just once per year a Smart Military blog could dedicate a simple open thread to The Great American Race! (No, not the one run by the Oaxacans) As if hilarity wouldn't ensue regardless!?!?! 11!? And no, Dick Trickle didn't run today wingnuts.

Posted by: Vincenzo Vegonzo at February 22, 2015 07:04 PM (KGN7Y)

24 Dick Trickle is dead. Long live his dick, he shot himself. Think he had cancer.



http://tinyurl.com/8nwcb

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 07:06 PM (0FSuD)

25 If we didn't have enough guys for a game, a hit to right field was an automatic out.

I often wonder how I became a strictly "pull" hitter.

Old habits and all.

Posted by: seamrog at February 22, 2015 07:06 PM (m4MJN)

26 Lots of politics in HS sports. So, there's no guarantee that an outstanding athlete will get noticed there.

Posted by: bergerbilder at February 22, 2015 07:08 PM (2o6Wj)

27 It's freezing in LA! Should result in red carpet nipple hardage.

Posted by: Oscar 2015 at February 22, 2015 07:08 PM (gwG9s)

28 My sons never played Baseball. It was always yuppie sports, like Lacrosse in the spring.

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 07:09 PM (0FSuD)

29 @27

Not sure, they are under tents and I'll bet they have heaters.

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 07:09 PM (0FSuD)

30 BCochran, I responded to your horror story about your hotel in the hood in the food thread.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at February 22, 2015 07:10 PM (FsuaD)

31 Shit it's 56 in LA, low is going to be 52. No nips.

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 07:10 PM (0FSuD)

32 Nip you and myself along with at least 4-7 other posters know that. I'm not sure if my point remains. (And please don't ask me to clarify. I only have the Wood Membership here. Plus, I was at a race!)

Posted by: Vincenzo Vegonzo at February 22, 2015 07:10 PM (KGN7Y)

33
It's freezing in LA! Should result in red carpet nipple hardage.

I read an article in the New Yorker, or maybe it was the Atlantic...no, now I remember, it was in microfiche copies of the 1930s Vanity Fair...

that said pics like that might show up on the nip slip dot com or taxi driver movie dot com.

It was totally in someplace intellectual. Maybe the rebooted New York Times Magazine.

Posted by: Bandersnatch at February 22, 2015 07:11 PM (1xUj/)

34 Urban as code for black only makes sense outside the South.

Baseball has boomed in the SEC last 20 years. Plenty of space in small southern towns for baseball, but the black kids there showed the same declining interest in baseball as the black kids in Chicago. And that's because the NBA became such a huge cultural force in the lives of black America.

And that happened because blacks started totally dominating the NBA.

Elite baseball talent seems more evenly distributed among the world's ethnic groups. Which is why MLB is the only major sport with demographics that roughly mirror America. No other major American sport routinely has elite asian superstars, for example.

Black % in MLB is only a few percentage points below the black % in America anyway.

Meanwhile whites, asians, and hispancs are all massively underrepresented in the NBA with blacks 5x overrepresented.

Yet there are never any articles about the NBA's shameful lack of white, hispanic, or asian players.

Posted by: Costanza Defense at February 22, 2015 07:12 PM (ZPrif)

35 I feel much better about myself. NY Slime is running pics of the people as they come down the red carpet. So far I know none of them. NONE.

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 07:12 PM (0FSuD)

36 Scouts are the unsung heroes of the sport. Their eyes are everywhere and their judgment of talent is uncanny. True story, Mrs928's nephew was a fantastic HS baseball catcher. He was Mr. Georgia Baseball his senior year where he batted like .500 and had 60 homers or something and had not a single base stolen on him. He's thinking he's going pro in the first or second round. 27th round.

He was quite disappointed. Nonetheless, he turned down a free ride at Alabama (that I know of, there may have been others) and signed with the Braves farm system. Long story short, he never made it past AA ball. Just could not hit major league pitching. I think his best season was just over the Mendoza Line at .250 or there abouts.

Somehow the scouts could see that despite his stellar track record in HS.

Posted by: toby928(C) mutters at February 22, 2015 07:13 PM (rwI+c)

37 My son had a good friend in high school, who was a very good baseball player. Played traveling leagues, summer leagues, the whole nine yards.

As a HS Senior, he was all conference right fielder, and these are big high schools, too. Terrific player.

Know what? His Dad had pushed him all along (and they were Indian fans too). And by the time he finished his Senior year at HS, hated baseball.

Posted by: Bossy Conservative....in the bleak midwinter at February 22, 2015 07:14 PM (+1T7c)

38 The solution is obvious. Do what the ChiComs do - take little kids with potential out of their homes, put them in training academies, drill them until they are Olympic level or drop outs.
The State is Mother. The State is Father.

Posted by: @votermom at February 22, 2015 07:14 PM (cbfNE)

39 NCAA Womens Softball Tournament @ 12- Word!
They care about playing to win.

Posted by: Eromero at February 22, 2015 07:15 PM (go5uR)

40 @32

I use to work with NASCAR. I knew Dick, he was a nice midwestern fellow.



I've had several friends that were in such constant pain they just said fuck it.



Had a great employee who beat cancer, then it came back.



He discussed it with his shotgun. Sad.

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 07:16 PM (0FSuD)

41 Left field ball (AKA by many other names) until dark every summer day, 6-8 neighborhood guys (and/or gals), no umps, no league, teams reform on a daily basis - thus teaching good sportsmanship (the guy opposing you today will be on your team tomorrow).

I miss those days.

Posted by: Whiskey_Joe at February 22, 2015 07:16 PM (RJJYz)

42 If you are good enough most of the travel teams find a way to pay for you. All the rest of the kids that play just support the few talented ones.

Shitty thing, but that's the deal.

I have a kid who plays ball on a full ride to a div1 school, and BCochran is right. Nothing makes up for hard work. The first thing a college coach asks a high school coach about a prospective player is "how is his/her work ethic?" Next thing they ask is how are their grades.

I laugh at people who tell me "You know I could have been a pro if it were not for X"
The truth is that almost no one can fathom the amount of work required to play a professional sport.

Posted by: Jacob's Step Stool at February 22, 2015 07:18 PM (VNgld)

43 I agree in part with the post, but disagree with certain points. You do need space and people, but the equipment doesn't have to be that expensive. Cleats are optional. Don't think I ever wore spikes playing ball, and I grew up a working class American. In San Pedro de Macoris, some kids play barefoot and use milk cartons for gloves, or so one hears.

In fairness to the post, though, basketball is much cheaper. All you need is a ball, a basket, and just about any number of people. With an odd number you can sub in or play horse or 33.

Posted by: A pot of message at February 22, 2015 07:18 PM (kk2ap)

44 I laugh at people who tell me "You know I could have been a pro if it were not for X"
The truth is that almost no one can fathom the amount of work required to play a professional sport.



True dat. Baseball players earn their money. The farm teams play like 90 games a year. Ridiculous.

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 07:19 PM (0FSuD)

45 Last year, NDH ran Nascar threads for the first few months of races-- but trolls would just ruin it by jumping in talking shit about how it was just for white trash retards, driving in circles, blah blah, cliched insult, blah de blah - and she got sick of it and stopped. Can't blame her.

Since everything but the NFL is a niche sport in America, almost any other sport ends up with more haters than fans.

I watched Daytona earlier. And have UFC on now. Some roided up Brazilian chick is on my TV right now. Yikes.

Posted by: Costanza Defense at February 22, 2015 07:20 PM (ZPrif)

46 "When I was a kid -- and you will be pleased to be getting off my lawn -- baseball was not expensive and it's what every American boy did. Your parents bought you a glove at six, and maybe you needed a new one at eleven. It cost $20 maybe for a little league season. Bats were made out of trees, not double-walled steel-carbon composite so of course every kid had a bat. "

This. While playing in Little League now will run you into money, remember that most mlb players up until the '60's or so came from extremely poor backgrounds. Baseball was their way of escaping the mines and the farms and the factories. I don't think Babe Ruth in the orphanage or Roy Campanella in a Philly slum were getting new gloves and spikes on a regular basis.

I saw a documentary this summer on baseball in the Dominican Republic. Those kids are trying to bat themselves off the island. They're running the bases in bare feet and using branches as bats and making balls with tape. Uniforms? Hell, they don't own gloves. And yet they're making it all the way to the Show.

I agree that in the case of the Jackie Robinson kids that rules are rules and should not be bent just because the kids are poor and black. And I think Robinson himself would agree with that - he never wanted special treatment for black players, he just wanted them to be treated the same as everyone else. It's a safe guess that Sharpton would make Robinson puke.

Posted by: Donna &&&&&& V. (brandishing ampersands) at February 22, 2015 07:21 PM (+XMAD)

47 There's no other way. There's no magical shortcut. Talent. Hard work.
One of the things that most annoys me about McCutchen's article is that even if you buy what he's selling, he offers absolutely nothing to solve the problem. There's not a single suggestion on what to do to give low income kids a chance to play ball.

When I managed a group of engineers, I ran into an issue where these engineers would come to my office with a problem, but without a solution. I posted a notice on my door that stated, if you haven't come with two solutions, don't knock. It is easy to throw a problem over the wall. coming up with solutions is hard.

Travel ball and the "hope" that it provides is a joke. You cannot tell anything about a kid at 12 years old. I was the best 12 year old in my county in NY. But i topped out at 5'8" and that doesn't get you many scholarship offers. But we had plenty of college scouts at our games. They will find you if you are good enough. Playing on all star teams is not a requirement.

Posted by: RKinRoanoke at February 22, 2015 07:22 PM (b0n8A)

48 Traveling teams are a curse. I coached school ball and the kids who played for traveling teams thought...
...their shit didn't ever stink;
...they already knew everything;
...if anybody ever asked them to do something they didn't want to do, it was time to move on.

Interscholastic sports are getting to be just as bad. The best players, especially "minority" ones, just move to wherever some booster offers their family the best deal.

Posted by: Cranky old coach at February 22, 2015 07:22 PM (T9V22)

49 So far the NY Slimes pics show 2/3 of the women wearing white and only one smoking hot red dress.

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 07:22 PM (0FSuD)

50 Some other article was bitching about the declining number of U.S. born blacks in MLB.

Somehow any black from the Caribbean- or Central or South America should not be considered black.

the mind reels.

Yeah I said black, cuz African American can be implied for both North and South America.

Posted by: seamrog at February 22, 2015 07:22 PM (m4MJN)

51 I think ppl underestimate how dominate elite pro level athletes are at youth sports. It's usually really obvious how far they outclass even the other good youth and high school level athletes are.

I saw Allen Iverson play in high school. Man among boys.

Posted by: Costanza Defense at February 22, 2015 07:24 PM (ZPrif)

52 Nip I never met him but heard exactly the same. Good man from the old school. I love racing and always will but just like many of our institutions here, it (NASCAR) is an over regulated monstrosity run ONLY by (in this instance TV) $.

Posted by: Vincenzo Vegonzo at February 22, 2015 07:24 PM (KGN7Y)

53 The Dominican kids do alright without much money.

And kids seem to find football just fine. That's a sport that is very expensive and requires organized play to properly develop the skills.

The space thing is an issue but so is general interest in the sport. Baseball's declining in popularity and if there's an open field, kids will play soccer or football. Or nothing at all.

Baseball's the game you play in the vacant lot when parents aren't watching your every move.

Posted by: AmishDude at February 22, 2015 07:25 PM (b4b5c)

54 Baseball's the game you play in the vacant lot
-------
Advantage Detroit.

Posted by: RioBravo at February 22, 2015 07:26 PM (z27Ny)

55 I hate to disagree with Andrew McCutchen, because he's one of my favorite players in the mlb. Grew up an hour or so away from the Pirates spring training park and was a huge fan of theirs before he became their centerfielder. He has said his deepest wish came true when he signed with them and he has no desire to play for any other team, although he could make more money elsewhere. He's always come across as a classy guy and he's fun to watch, although I think he got this one wrong.

Posted by: Donna &&&&&& V. (brandishing ampersands) at February 22, 2015 07:27 PM (+XMAD)

56
Somehow any black from the Caribbean- or Central or South America should not be considered black.

the mind reels.


Eh. It's an in-group thing. I share a house with a negro American. He says David Ortiz is not black, he's Hispanic.

I say "he'sdarker than you". He says he's not black. It's not about skin color, it's about history and experience. American blacks come up through a different set of experiences.

Posted by: Bandersnatch at February 22, 2015 07:27 PM (1xUj/)

57 I played baseball through high school. For most of my little league practices and games i could bike myself to it with friends on the team.

By the time you get to middle school and high school there's a field at the school, the school supplies all the equipment you need, and practices are super convenient.

Posted by: Costanza Defense at February 22, 2015 07:28 PM (ZPrif)

58 African Americans?


Yeah, one of them shot up a bunch of Joos in a store in Paris

Posted by: CNN Idiots at February 22, 2015 07:29 PM (0FSuD)

59 I say "he'sdarker than you". He says he's not black.
It's not about skin color, it's about history and experience. American
blacks come up through a different set of experiences.


Posted by: Bandersnatch at February 22, 2015 07:27 PM (1xUj/)

So Colin Powell, not Black?

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 07:30 PM (0FSuD)

60 @45 Costanza Yep I remember. Just taking a disappointing post race opportunity to give my favorite blog some unearned grief. (Bitter, clinging $hit/payback for suffering Malor)

Posted by: Vincenzo Vegonzo at February 22, 2015 07:30 PM (KGN7Y)

61 50 Some other article was bitching about the declining number of U.S. born blacks in MLB.

Jonah Goldberg has a theory about this. He says his own interest in baseball began from playing catch with his dad. It used to be something fathers routinely did with their sons. Basketball is something you pick up from your peers, but baseball is passed on from fathers to sons.

Not many baby daddies are playing catch with their kids in the inner cities these days.

Posted by: Donna &&&&&& V. (brandishing ampersands) at February 22, 2015 07:31 PM (+XMAD)

62 56 Bandersnatch

If growing up poor, being from a broken home and being discriminated because of your skin color are those "experiences" I know a lot of pasty faced "blacks".

Posted by: seamrog at February 22, 2015 07:32 PM (m4MJN)

63 lBaseball is hard to play well, at any level.

Football and basketball are relatively simple in concept, but as you move up (grow older) the level of work and basic athleticism is very demanding. Or in basketball, height too.

Anybody can "play" basketball, but to be good,l you have to be tall. There is no replacement for tall.
Likewise football. My youngest son played pony league, bronco league, middle school football, high school football. Eventually he got hurt and had to quit, but would have gotten outsized soon enough - high school would have been the end.

Baseball is hard to play because you either need gunslinger reflexes to hit and field, or an arm that can throw thunderbolts every 4th or 5th day. Guys And work insanely hard to be in shape and drill, drill, drill.

Posted by: Bossy Conservative....in the bleak midwinter at February 22, 2015 07:34 PM (+1T7c)

64 Ortiz is obviously black.

Baseball has a weird white guilt thing about the black % since they used to not let blacks play. But that was 70 years ago now. We forgive you baseball. It's ok, you're not a racist.

Jackie Robinson broke the color line in 1947. Nobody is stopping blacks from playing baseball. It's just that the best black athletes in America tend to choose to focus on other sports at a young age, cause they think they'll have an advantage there.

Meanwhile, athletic 6'5 white guys moved away from basketball 30 years ago and towards being baseball pitchers, quarterbacks and tight ends.

Posted by: Costanza Defense at February 22, 2015 07:34 PM (ZPrif)

65 Baseball is hard to play because you either need gunslinger reflexes to hit and field, or an arm that can throw thunderbolts every 4th or 5th day. Guys And work insanely hard to be in shape and drill, drill, drill.

Remember, in baseball, a 30% success rate at a central task makes you nigh-godlike.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, by the Pale Moon light at February 22, 2015 07:35 PM (hMx4x)

66 This is O/T, but I was away yesterday and didn't see the ISIS Special Forces training vid until today, and laughed my ass off.

Sorry for the O/T.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at February 22, 2015 07:36 PM (FsuaD)

67 You have to love the WSJ. They are showing pics of the red carpet, BUT they explain to their readers who the fuck the people are, knowing most WSJ reader don't know and don't give a shit.



Know your market!

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 07:38 PM (0FSuD)

68 And finally Yes to more Brazilian women, though we could stand some Brazilian driving talent as well. Sports become too soft. Yall have a great night, drink one for the horde, I surely will and as Don Cornelionous says, "Peace and Hair Grease!"

Posted by: Vincenzo Vegonzo at February 22, 2015 07:38 PM (KGN7Y)

69 Remember, in baseball, a 30% success rate at a central task makes you nigh-godlike.
Posted by: Brother Cavil, by the Pale Moon light at February 22, 2015 07:35 PM (hMx4x)

When you have a ball coming at you at 95 mph and have a quarter of a second to decide if you should swing or not - I'm amazed anybody can hit the damned thing.

Posted by: Donna &&&&&& V. (brandishing ampersands) at February 22, 2015 07:38 PM (+XMAD)

70 Asians, who are 5% of the population now, are almost totally unrepresented in every big American team sport except baseball.

LPGA is actually dominated by asians -- mostly Koreans. Several asians have done well in the PGA as well, most notably the dominant asian Tiger Woods.

NBA and NFL have one or two. Well, NFL has a bunch of Samoans, so i should clarify I mean more east asian. Samoans and australasians are an entirely different racial group.

Posted by: Costanza Defense at February 22, 2015 07:39 PM (ZPrif)

71 Posted by: Donna &&&&&& V. (brandishing ampersands) at February 22, 2015 07:31 PM (+XMAD)

That and baseball is boring.

Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 07:39 PM (R5HRU)

72 As far as Little League having rules about recruitment and enforcement. If they don't enforce them why have them?
It is not a 'way out', it is way for them to have fun playing a great game.

So yes I agree.

Posted by: Bob from table9 at February 22, 2015 07:39 PM (WNERA)

73 When our son was a toddler, husband took him to a Braves game. D'oh Boy was in his little Braves toddler gear, and had a teeny glove.

Umpire tossed a ball (I can't remember which famous Braves player it was, but the ball is here somewhere) to little D'oh, which husband caught and handed to toddler D'oh.

D'oh Boy did what he was taught to do in t-ball, and threw the ball back to the umpire.

Heh. This was on the Jumbotron. The crowd laughed, the umpire laughed, and HANDED the ball to my husband to keep.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at February 22, 2015 07:39 PM (FsuaD)

74 Someone needs to tell these douche bag men that you don't wear a white dinner jacket in winter.


Hello?

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 07:41 PM (0FSuD)

75 Posted by: Jane D'oh at February 22, 2015 07:39 PM (FsuaD)

Now that's a cute story.

Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 07:41 PM (R5HRU)

76 That's a charming story, Ms. D'Oh.

Posted by: Bandersnatch at February 22, 2015 07:41 PM (1xUj/)

77 I had a couple of friends, now both dead, that loved to coach baseball. They had no sons, but they were the dads to a lot of boys.



I always admired their patience. I couldn't do it.

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 07:42 PM (0FSuD)

78 18 Still no gum thread......


I haz a sad.
Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 22, 2015 07:00 PM (YrXgo)

Is there a periodontist in the house?

Posted by: Insomniac at February 22, 2015 07:42 PM (mx5oN)

79 Only 122 posts to go for a gun thread. At this rate we'll all be asleep.

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 07:44 PM (0FSuD)

80 75
Posted by: Jane D'oh at February 22, 2015 07:39 PM (FsuaD)



Now that's a cute story.

Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 07:41 PM (R5HRU)


Sadly, I wasn't there that night. I was on the verge of the flu, and husband had a client in town. I'm still sad I didn't get to experience the hilarity myself.


Son doesn't even remember it.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at February 22, 2015 07:44 PM (FsuaD)

81 79 Only 122 posts to go for a gun thread. At this rate we'll all be asleep.


Is there a default time? Even F1 races have a time limit.

Posted by: Bob from table9 at February 22, 2015 07:45 PM (WNERA)

82 What is the gun you most regret selling? There I'll take the heat.

Posted by: Bob from table9 at February 22, 2015 07:47 PM (WNERA)

83 Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 07:42 PM (0FSuD)

Coaching can be absolutely rewarding. It can also be mind bending. It usually fluctuates in between both.

I coach basketball and love it, then other days I wanna wring the kids necks.

Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 07:47 PM (R5HRU)

84 For me, I like to see guts and perseverance in sports, baseball being to exception. Want to make it big? Sometimes it's guts and perseverance. Case in point, Luis Pollorena, whom you probably haven't heard of yet. Recruited by one D1 school (Mississippi State) and now pitching in the Rangers system.

There's a blurb here: http://tinyurl.com/kxnl778


Spokane has him pitching in relief. Here's where he closed out a no-hitter last fall: http://tinyurl.com/mv6r3p4

Posted by: Country Singer at February 22, 2015 07:48 PM (nL0sw)

85 Baseball is an impressive cash gusher. It's good at creating local celebrities -- but not national celebrities.

The top few stars on each team will be famous in the metro they play, but often unknown nationwide.

NBA is very good at creating stars. It's the structure of the game. A great player can dominate in basketball more than any other team sport. So the best players end up in the championship games.

MLB and NHL that's much less true. A lot more randomness. Often great players never win a title. Or even get a chance to play for one.

Posted by: Costanza Defense at February 22, 2015 07:48 PM (ZPrif)

86 BCochran, my elderly mother LOVED all things sports (well, baseball and football).

She was a tiny, cute, always put-together lovely little thing.

And boy, did she enjoy her sports on TV. It was the one thing my husband and son shared with her that I just couldn't.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at February 22, 2015 07:49 PM (FsuaD)

87 82 What is the gun you most regret selling? There I'll take the heat.
Posted by: Bob from table9 at February 22, 2015 07:47 PM (WNERA)

I've only sold one, ever. All the rest I've kept.

Posted by: Insomniac at February 22, 2015 07:49 PM (mx5oN)

88 Another downside of baseball for American minority kids is that if you squat at home plate like you're taking a dump after a home run, or do a sack dance after a big hit, you're gonna' get plunked, and plunked hard.

Posted by: Cranky old coach at February 22, 2015 07:49 PM (T9V22)

89 Great response. This was one of the first articles at Jeter's new space. You did good.

Posted by: Osoloco at February 22, 2015 07:51 PM (9kGho)

90 That and baseball is boring.
Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 07:39 PM (R5HRU)

For those with the attention spans of fireflies.

Posted by: Donna &&&&&& V. (brandishing ampersands) at February 22, 2015 07:52 PM (+XMAD)

91 Baseball teams and players make a lot of money. They should take 1% of that money and turn it into building parks in cities, maintaining them, and setting up a service that rents out or allows people to borrow or check out bats, balls, and gloves so they can knock the ball around. They should sponsor batting cages and events in towns. They should have players doing tours in the off season and promoting baseball and leagues they help teach and coach in the warmer areas.

The truth is, baseball is expensive and rough to set up. That's why soccer is so popular around the world: all you need is a field and a ball. Period. Football is expensive and rough to set up and takes even more gear.

But there's enough money to make it happen if the teams and players want to be less greedy. If they really care. If they want to help. Honestly I don't give a crap what color or race the players are as long as the play is good and the players are good guys. But they pretend they care so much about the inner city and black kids playing ball and on and on. So put your money where your mouth is.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at February 22, 2015 07:53 PM (39g3+)

92 89 Great response. This was one of the first articles at Jeter's new space. You did good.

Posted by: Osoloco at February 22, 2015 07:51 PM (9kGho)



Thank ye kindly.

I never would have seen it if it wasn't for you, so thanks for bringing it to my attention.

Posted by: BCochran1981 - Credible Hulk at February 22, 2015 07:53 PM (GEICT)

93 @82

I had a Browning 12 ga with a side shell loader. You could have the plug in and shot all you wanted by simply inserting another shell.



Weird gun. I have gotten the stock wet and it had been so dry the stock swelled up. Should have kept the gun and replaced the stock. Never seen one since.


I also miss my dad's Fox that was stolen by some meth heads.

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 07:54 PM (0FSuD)

94 Posted by: Donna &&&&&& V. (brandishing ampersands) at February 22, 2015 07:52 PM (+XMAD)

It's just way too slow. If the MLB ever enacts rule changes that speeds up the game then it could be much more palatable.

I don't think it has to do with attention span to be honest, hell soccer is constantly in motion and I find that to be much more boring than baseball.

Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 07:54 PM (R5HRU)

95 The term "minority" just isn't useful anymore.
Black kids and asian kids are totally different.
Blacks are the poorest group in America, Asians are the richest.

And "minority" varies from city to city, with many whites growing up as the "minority".

America used to be basically a bi-racial society, white and black. But that was a long time ago. Since the 1968 immigration changes that has changed.

Posted by: Costanza Defense at February 22, 2015 07:55 PM (ZPrif)

96 @87

Same here, that Browning is the only gun I ever sold. I actually traded it for another gun.

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 07:56 PM (0FSuD)

97 That and baseball is boring.

Excruciatingly. The average length of a MLB baseball game is about three hours, with absolutely nothing happening for about 2 hours and 50 minutes of it.

Posted by: Insomniac at February 22, 2015 07:57 PM (mx5oN)

98 Posted by: Insomniac at February 22, 2015 07:57 PM (mx5oN)

Some games have run 3:30 - 3:45. Ridiculous.

Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 07:59 PM (R5HRU)

99 Interesting article and insight BC

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at February 22, 2015 08:00 PM (hcfn1)

100 Some games have run 3:30 - 3:45. Ridiculous.
Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 07:59 PM (R5HRU)


Some last until the next day. I really like baseball. You on the other hand are not required to like what I like.

Posted by: Bob from table9 at February 22, 2015 08:01 PM (WNERA)

101 I've only sold one, ever. All the rest I've kept.

*Fistbump*

Posted by: toby928(C) mutters at February 22, 2015 08:01 PM (rwI+c)

102 My theory is [deleted for asshattery]

I denounce myself.

[Too late]

Posted by: Hegemony Cricket at February 22, 2015 08:02 PM (jDR5W)

103 Posted by: Bob from table9 at February 22, 2015 08:01 PM (WNERA)

*high fives*

Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 08:02 PM (R5HRU)

104 Baseball is one of the games where you win, rather than just being ahead when time expires.

Posted by: toby928(C) mutters at February 22, 2015 08:02 PM (rwI+c)

105 103 back at ya

Posted by: Bob from table9 at February 22, 2015 08:03 PM (WNERA)

106 Good God, NY Slime has a picture of Oprah Winfrey.



That diet isn't working honey. She looks to weigh in at about 250. The only ass in America wider than Mooch's. Two ways.

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 08:03 PM (0FSuD)

107 Some games have run 3:30 - 3:45. Ridiculous.
Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 07:59 PM (R5HRU)



You do realize that football games constantly run in excess of 3 hours and the the amount of time in which an actual play is happening is minuscule...right?

You claim that nothing is happening most of the time. That's absurd. There are in the neighborhood of 300 pitches thrown every game and things are happening during every pitch.

That you don't like the game is fine, everyone has different interests and likes, but your claims are just simply not true.

Posted by: BCochran1981 - Credible Hulk at February 22, 2015 08:03 PM (GEICT)

108 "It's just way too slow. If the MLB ever enacts rule changes that speeds up the game then it could be much more palatable. "

Well, no argument there. I recently read a book called "One Summer, America 1927" and it had a chapter about Ruth and baseball then and the author noted that complete games in the 1920's were about an hour and a half long. They simply didn't dick around at the plate or on the mound the way they do now.

I went to a Brewers-Cubs game this summer and Edwin Jackson was pitching. I don't find baseball boring but even I got impatient because he took so damed long between pitches. I was like, geez, what's he doing standing there? Thinking about dinner? The meaning of life? There's some chick named Front Row Amy who attends all the Brewers home games, wears low-cut tops and sits behind home plate - is he looking at her boobs?

And on the batter's side, all the stepping in and out of the batter's box, fiddling with gloves, etc. is annoying. I wish mlb would address that crap.

Posted by: Donna &&&&&& V. (brandishing ampersands) at February 22, 2015 08:06 PM (+XMAD)

109 Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 07:54 PM (0FSuD)

Bummer. I just know that I'll develop a case of serious seller's remorse later, so I don't get rid of them. The one I did part with was a favor to a longtime friend who didn't have a lot of cash on hand.

Posted by: Insomniac at February 22, 2015 08:06 PM (mx5oN)

110 Yeah football is the same length of time and has about 20 actual minutes of activity on the field. Its loud, furious activity, but not a lot in all that time. Its no less dull than baseball - both require some fan appreciation to understand and enjoy.

Enjoying baseball means understanding what's going on, same as any sport - except soccer which is mostly just participation in the collective and a cultural thing. As in "I like futbol, cafe Americanos, and whole wheat bread with garlic aoli"

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at February 22, 2015 08:06 PM (39g3+)

111 If you feel life is passing by too fast, go to a baseball game. It's a great way to relax, take in the strategy (In the NL, at least) end enjoy it for what it is, a constant series of confrontation and psychology. If you need constant stimulation, stick to video games.

Posted by: Mr. Natural at February 22, 2015 08:07 PM (/pOl7)

112 I tend to agree with some things McCutchen said, but for different reasons.

The getting noticed thing at tournies, etc, not so much.

But the advantage of being able to play baseball all year long with travel ball is very real, especially if you're from an area that gets severe winters. I think they did some sort of study about players/colleges in warm climates producing more MLB players, and the theory was that they literally got more playing time. Do I think this is a huge advantage? Hell no, but I think it has more to do with making the majors than getting noticed at a tourney when you're 12 years old.

I think the lack of daddies playing catch with their little ones is also an issue...but part of the problem is also that baseball just ain't as sexy to most young inner city boys as basketball and football.

And MLB loves those "other" African Americans because they have better attitudes and they can get 'em cheap.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 08:07 PM (37e3g)

113 I once entertained the Chicago Cubs.

Posted by: Sandra Flook at February 22, 2015 08:07 PM (Dwehj)

114 101 I've only sold one, ever. All the rest I've kept.

*Fistbump*
Posted by: toby928(C) mutters at February 22, 2015 08:01 PM (rwI+c)

Right on.

Posted by: Insomniac at February 22, 2015 08:07 PM (mx5oN)

115 Yo, Adrienne! Do these stirrup socks make my calves look too skinny? I always worry that my calves look too skinny.

Posted by: Rocky Balboa on the baseball diamond at February 22, 2015 08:08 PM (NeFrd)

116 If the game seems too slow, drink another beer.

Posted by: toby928(C) mutters at February 22, 2015 08:08 PM (rwI+c)

117 Posted by: BCochran1981 - Credible Hulk at February 22, 2015 08:03 PM (GEICT)

Insomniac said "nothing happens".

I know there is a ton of shit that goes on in between non-action plays. I just find it extremely plodding. As far as your take on football, yep I've seen that stat that during a 3 hour football there's like 15-20 minutes of actual play. Again I prefer the physical way more athletic sports than a sport such as baseball. It doesn't mean it's a bad sport, I just find it boring is all, no more no less.

Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 08:08 PM (R5HRU)

118 Just got the email where the auto renew of MLB.TV will be on the credit card on the 28th. I like watching the out of market teams--the Nationals are going to be on my list to watch this year. They should be just awesome. Plus I can watch some outstanding pitchers, and some favorite players traded away in stupid moments by my local team.

Posted by: Bob from table9 at February 22, 2015 08:08 PM (WNERA)

119 I failed to mention the Model 12 pump in 16 Ga I lent to a friend who never returned it. Says he never borrowed it.



Right. Last gun I ever lent anyone.

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 08:08 PM (0FSuD)

120 Baseball could be a lot faster, but the umps let players get away with murder. There are actually rules about time limits and what you can do on the mound and plate, but they are basically ignored.

But for pure love of baseball the best experience is your local minor league team. There's probably one nearby you. Great food, great community, and a wonderful, relaxing time out in the sun.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at February 22, 2015 08:09 PM (39g3+)

121 119 I failed to mention the Model 12 pump in 16 Ga I lent to a friend who never returned it. Says he never borrowed it.



Right. Last gun I ever lent anyone.
Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 08:08 PM (0FSuD)

That rat bastard!

Posted by: Insomniac at February 22, 2015 08:10 PM (mx5oN)

122 Posted by: Donna &&&&&& V. (brandishing ampersands) at February 22, 2015 08:06 PM (+XMAD)

I equate that like some people equate WRs making routine catches and going bat shit crazy.

I could rock a hour fifteen minute game, definitely.

Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 08:10 PM (R5HRU)

123 USACSales still has Bulgarian 7.62x54R at .18 a round. I don't think we will see that price again. I would buy more, did I not already have enough for 4 lifetimes. http://is.gd/3Een2F

Posted by: toby928(C) mutters at February 22, 2015 08:10 PM (rwI+c)

124 @109

Now, I will help a guy out and buy his guns, if the prices are reasonable.


Two of my lawyer buddies almost went broke two years ago. I picked up A LOT of guns. Some I will never shot. Stupid stuff like a rifle with three different barrels.

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 08:10 PM (0FSuD)

125 Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 08:07 PM (37e3g)

Tammy you hit it on the head. It's not as sexy as it once was. Baseball is no longer Americas past time.

Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 08:11 PM (R5HRU)

126 Baseball games are fun to go to. Relaxing. It's a picnic.
I don't have to know the teams.

There's a local minor league team that I go to see a game or two a year when it's a nice day. it's a good, cheap family activity.

Posted by: Costanza Defense at February 22, 2015 08:11 PM (ZPrif)

127 56
I say "he'sdarker than you". He says he's not black. It's not about skin color, it's about history and experience. American blacks come up through a different set of experiences.

Posted by: Bandersnatch at February 22, 2015 07:27 PM (1xUj/)



So why in the hell did blacks vote for Obama? He has absolutely nothing in common with them.

Posted by: rickl at February 22, 2015 08:11 PM (sdi6R)

128 But for pure love of baseball the best experience is your local minor league team. There's probably one nearby you. Great food, great community, and a wonderful, relaxing time out in the sun."

True Dat! Minor league ball is usually pretty wild with lots of fun promos, etc. Not nearly as stuffy as the pro version.

Posted by: Mr. Natural at February 22, 2015 08:12 PM (/pOl7)

129 Stupid stuff like a rifle with three different barrels.

Is it a Rossi? Center fire, rimfire and shotgun barrels, right?

Posted by: Insomniac at February 22, 2015 08:13 PM (mx5oN)

130 Posted by: Costanza Defense at February 22, 2015 08:11 PM (ZPrif)

Cheap? Hot damn I wish it was.

Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 08:13 PM (R5HRU)

131 To play pro baseball takes discipline. It means years climbing up the ladder in lousy minor league cities.

Basketball and football represent easy ways out, quicker paydays.

Inner city blacks can't or won't wait. Which suit the latinos just fine.

Posted by: Trump at February 22, 2015 08:14 PM (mctSY)

132 Speaking of minor leagues we've got the St Paul Saints. Never been to one of their games but I've heard they're an absolute blast. Bill Murray is part owner too and you can find him taking tickets I hear.

Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 08:14 PM (R5HRU)

133
There's a thing I didn't get about baseball until I had to explain it to a foreigner. Baseball is so situational, when a pitcher goes from a 3-1 count to 3-2 everything changes.

In my first real job I worked for a NYC law firm with a German-American practice. The Germans would send us "referendars", interns, who had to do this stint as part of their schooling. I would befriend them.

So it's 1986 and the (spit) Mets (whom I otherwise love) are playing my beloved Red Sox in the World Series. And I have my pet Kraut over to watch all the games. And it's the first time I realize how ridiculously absurd the rules are. You do this, unless that has happened, in which case this is the rule.

I mean seriously. Imagine you've grown up in a world where sports means "we try to kick it into that net, they try to kick it into this net". Then explain "the third strike is an out, unless you tip the ball and the catcher drops it, then you get to try to run to first".

Baseball is pretty wacky.

Posted by: Bandersnatch at February 22, 2015 08:14 PM (1xUj/)

134 127 56
I say "he'sdarker than you". He says he's not black. It's not about skin color, it's about history and experience. American blacks come up through a different set of experiences.

Posted by: Bandersnatch at February 22, 2015 07:27 PM (1xUj/)


So why in the hell did blacks vote for Obama? He has absolutely nothing in common with them.
Posted by: rickl at February 22, 2015 08:11 PM (sdi6R)

Pretty evident the blacks enjoy the democratic plantation.

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at February 22, 2015 08:14 PM (hcfn1)

135 We need to integrate hockey. Too many short white men.

Posted by: obama at February 22, 2015 08:15 PM (WNERA)

136 Posted by: Trump at February 22, 2015 08:14 PM (mctSY)

Easy ways out? LOL. Just no.

Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 08:15 PM (R5HRU)

137 I heard an announcer say that NFL is "indisputably" America's passtime now, which is just asinine. The reason Baseball was America's passtime was because everyone played baseball. You threw the ball around with your kid, you had local pick up games, all the kids played stickball on the streets in the cities and soft/hardball in the rural areas. It was what people did with their free time in the summer.

Americans don't play football, ever, unless they're specifically on a team. Hardly anyone even throws the pigskin around with their kids any more. NFL is very likely America's most popular sport (NASCAR has more viewers and butts in the stands but racing isn't a sport) but its not the passtime of anyone but players.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at February 22, 2015 08:15 PM (39g3+)

138 Having played and coached baseball, there's a lot going on besides the pitcher throwing the ball to the catcher.

The equivalent of a football defensive huddle takes place often.
It's non verbal, usually hand signals.

When you see outfielders shifting before a pitch, can tell you what pitch is going to be thrown and where in the strike zone (if that) Tendencies !

On the offensive side, watch first base and especially third base coaches. Information is being sent, sometimes reacting to defensive shifts.

It's a 3D chess game, most people don't notice it or don't care.

Like the Wrigley Field crowd, let's drink and ogle, and google, and text. Oh did the Cubs lose ?

Posted by: seamrog at February 22, 2015 08:15 PM (m4MJN)

139 Posted by: Christopher Taylor at February 22, 2015 07:53 PM (39g3+)

MLB has several programs like that. Not real sure how well they do, though. And many players do donate time and funds for new fields, equipment, etc. I'd say moreso than any other sport. It's something players' wives also get involved with.

Also, finding room for a new park or even a baseball diamond in established areas in not easy, especially in the inner city areas of places like NYC, LA, etc. where the need is the greatest.

Upkeep is a huge issue... the freaking schools in CA where I lived, nice areas, not ghettos, didn't have so much as a blade of grass on the playgrounds. All asphalt and that rubbery stuff under playground equipment.

So plenty of basketball hoops/courts, but no baseball or football. That has to make a difference in shaping kids' preferences, too.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 08:16 PM (37e3g)

140 I've never found basketball sexy. I don't know, maybe it's the uniforms - the baggy shorts do nothing for me. Whereas baseball unis look sharp. And in the '70's and '80's when I started going and they wore their pants skin tight - well, now, the sight of Robin Yount and Paul Molitor in those tight, tight pants - *fans herself.*

Posted by: Donna &&&&&& V. (brandishing ampersands) at February 22, 2015 08:16 PM (+XMAD)

141 There's a thing I didn't get about baseball until I had to explain it to a foreigner.


A Scottish man was at a baseball game.

It was the first time he had ever seen the sport so he sat quietly. The first batter approached the plate, took a few swings and then hit a double. Everyone was on their feet screaming "Run, Run."

This happened two more times, with a single and a triple. The Scottish man was now excited and ready to get into the game.

The next batter came up and four balls went by. The umpire called "walk" and the batter started on a slow trot to first. The Scottish man, extremely excited now, stood up and screamed, "R-R-Run man, rrrun!"

Everyone around him started laughing. So the Scottish, extremely embarrassed, sat back down. A friendly fan, seeing the Scottish man's embarrassment, leaned over and said, "He can't run -- he got four balls."

The Scottish man stood up and screamed, "Walk with pride, man... walk with pride!"

Posted by: toby928(C) mutters at February 22, 2015 08:16 PM (rwI+c)

142 America's pastime is Internet porn, if we were truly honest about it.

Posted by: Insomniac at February 22, 2015 08:16 PM (mx5oN)

143 If you are good enough most of the travel teams find a way to pay for you. All the rest of the kids that play just support the few talented ones.

absolutely correct (at least for my daughter's sport, field hockey). we are asked to support other players (not named) and we do, as a club. It's not hidden, it's plain as day and we're happy to do it.

girls sports (for now) have a very high ROI for parents. but I have no illustions about that continuing (it can't). my daughter just loves to play and hates the bench

The LLWS story bugged me specifically for the "bringing in ringers" aspect. Having seen that in action on some travel/club/tourney teams it HURTS the legal-boundaries players who get bumped for ringers, and poisons the entire environment. It was wrong and I'm very glad the LL punished them for it. Everyone (including ALL the kids) knew what was going on. I'd bet they were messing with ages too, that team.

Posted by: BlackOrchidPhotobomb at February 22, 2015 08:17 PM (pS66t)

144 135
We need to integrate hockey. Too many short white men.with no teeth


Posted by: obama at February 22, 2015 08:15 PM (WNERA)


FIFY

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 08:17 PM (0FSuD)

145 Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 08:14 PM (R5HRU)

You HAVE to go. Seriously, it is soooo much fun. Even for you commies who think baseball is boring!

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 08:17 PM (37e3g)

146 I'd change 3 rules in baseball if I was commissioner.
1) no designated hitter
2) One interleague series a year per team, period
3) If the batter AT ANY TIME IN ANY COUNT tips the ball into the catcher's mitt, its an out.

Oh, and I'd get rid of instant replay, and burn the equipment, and kick the guy who came up with it in the furry mangerines.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at February 22, 2015 08:18 PM (39g3+)

147 So plenty of basketball hoops/courts, but no baseball or football. That has to make a difference in shaping kids' preferences, too.

Sure. Basketball is cheap and easy to play. There are public courts everywhere and the only equipment you need is a single basketball. That's it.

Posted by: Insomniac at February 22, 2015 08:18 PM (mx5oN)

148 Anyone wanna see me throw like a girl again?

Posted by: Barry O'Doubleday at February 22, 2015 08:18 PM (Dwehj)

149 As someone posted above baseball can't be played alone like basketball. Boys need a dad to play catch with to learn the mechanics and get enough repetition.

I WS on the board of the local Little League for 6 years. Half our geography was upper middle class the other half poor. Couldn't get the rich dads to coach (but they definitely would contribute financially) and the poor kids for the most part didn't have dads. We made sure every kid was welcome and fees would be paid. But as a league getting enough coaches was very difficult

Posted by: Sunny at February 22, 2015 08:19 PM (BHRUO)

150 Then explain "the third strike is an out, unless you tip the ball and the catcher drops it, then you get to try to run to first".

If there is less than two outs *and* first base is open.

Posted by: toby928(C) mutters at February 22, 2015 08:19 PM (rwI+c)

151 Sure. Basketball is cheap and easy to play. There are public courts everywhere and the only equipment you need is a single basketball. That's it.
Posted by: Insomniac
-------------------

Lighting..., at midnight.

Posted by: Bill Cliton at February 22, 2015 08:19 PM (l1zOH)

152 Posted by: Donna &&&&&& V. (brandishing ampersands) at February 22, 2015 08:16 PM (+XMAD)

The mens is too damned tall and skinny, too. Baseball players have the perfect build.

Or so I have been told, because of course I never notice such things.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 08:20 PM (37e3g)

153 The WNBA really should at least try making some uniforms designed for women.

Most successful women's sports let the women look pretty and feminine. They're still athletes in tennis and gymnastics and figure skating.

Tennis is the most-watched, highest paying annual female sport -- no accident it lets them wear skirts and show some style and fashion.

Posted by: Costanza Defense at February 22, 2015 08:20 PM (ZPrif)

154 148
Anyone wanna see me throw like a girl again?


Posted by: Barry O'Doubleday at February 22, 2015 08:18 PM (Dwehj)

Yeah, throw that thing up here and I'll give it to you again.

Posted by: Reggie, the butt fucker at February 22, 2015 08:20 PM (0FSuD)

155 I do find it fascinating that there is ZERO movement to get girls into baseball. None. I think its just raw honesty on the part of women. I can buy that a girl could pitch short relief (not close, but middle relief 1-2 innings), but not anything else. Even those apparently fat out of shape guys out there are the 1% of the 1% of men, who can keep this up 162 games.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at February 22, 2015 08:21 PM (39g3+)

156 *looks at sidebar*

If those Hollywood 'tards try to reboot Forbidden Planet, well I hope the Monster of the ID turns all of them into goo.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at February 22, 2015 08:21 PM (PHI4f)

157 Tennis is the most-watched, highest paying annual female sport -- no accident it lets them wear skirts and show some style and fashion.

Hearing them scream like they're being murdered every time they hit the ball is a little unnerving, though.

Posted by: Insomniac at February 22, 2015 08:21 PM (mx5oN)

158 It is amazing how long NBA has kept up the WNBA moneypit. No signs of stopping. NBA is a cash gusher so they can afford to subsidize it forever, I guess.

Posted by: Costanza Defense at February 22, 2015 08:21 PM (ZPrif)

159 Me, at a baseball game: Eating a hotdog, watching the Jumbotron, waving down the beer guy (and I don't even like beer).

Sadly, the last Braves game we attended, we brought D'oh Boy's deceptive girl friend. It was Marine Corps Night, and she was all over the boy. In front of us. I'm talking taking selfies, kissing, groping...and this was her.

The next day, she attended my MIL's 90th b-day, clinging like a monkey to the D'oh Boy.

And then a week later, told him via text, she wasn't interested anymore.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at February 22, 2015 08:22 PM (FsuaD)

160 Posted by: Costanza Defense at February 22, 2015 08:20 PM (ZPrif)

In part it's not successful because the talent gap between mens and womens basketball is miles apart.

I will say in womens basketball they move the ball around much more in a team ball concept.

Few teams in the NBA have that, the Spurs and Hawks come to mind as good examples.

Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 08:22 PM (R5HRU)

161 Hearing them scream like they're being murdered every time they hit the ball is a little unnerving, though.
Posted by: Insomniac
-----------------------------

Coming soon..., to golf.
I mean..., it would follow, no?

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc.,etc. at February 22, 2015 08:23 PM (l1zOH)

162 talent = athletic *

Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 08:23 PM (R5HRU)

163 Act Of Valor coming on CBS in a minute - I forget who to thank for the heads up, but "thanks"

Posted by: shredded chi at February 22, 2015 08:24 PM (wzBnV)

164 WNBA would be more successful if they had the same uniforms as women's beach volleyball.

Posted by: Bob from table9 at February 22, 2015 08:24 PM (WNERA)

165 Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 08:11 PM (R5HRU)

Yep. And when you think back to when baseball WAS the most wildly popular sport by far, basketball and football weren't near as big as they are now.

I can see why folks like basketball, although I hate it, because it's constant action. Young kids now are even more inclined to like nonstop action because of video games.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 08:24 PM (37e3g)

166 I don't watch much tennis, not a big fan, but I've looked at TV ratings and salaries. I'll tune into a Wimbledon final if I remember, that's about it.

But it's a global sport with interest worldwide. And that means TV viewers and money.

Women's tennis has a huge advantage that they play the the big events the same weekend as the Men. So they both are at Wimbledon at once.

LPGA doesn't get to play alongside the big male stars to build fan interest.

Posted by: Costanza Defense at February 22, 2015 08:25 PM (ZPrif)

167 163
Act Of Valor coming on CBS in a minute - I forget who to thank for the heads up, but "thanks"

Posted by: shredded chi at February 22, 2015 08:24 PM (wzBnV)


Thank you to whoever!!

Posted by: Jane D'oh at February 22, 2015 08:25 PM (FsuaD)

168 Hearing them scream like they're being murdered every time they hit the ball is a little unnerving, though.

Monica Seles didn't sound like she was being murdered so much. Unless you mean "la petite mort."

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at February 22, 2015 08:25 PM (39g3+)

169 Watching the Oscars.

Not sure if it's that I don't believe in God right now or just don't want to.

Posted by: AD at February 22, 2015 08:25 PM (pXB1a)

170
136 Posted by: Trump at February 22, 2015 08:14 PM (mctSY)

Easy ways out? LOL. Just no.
Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 08:15 PM (R5HRU)


------ you can go from the hood to a free year or two of college before you leave to cash in in basketball and football.

In two years in baseball you can leave college and still need to ride the bus for at least 2 years.

So yeah......easy. Mlb drafts a high school kid today he's in the system 5 years grinding away for his shot

Posted by: Trump at February 22, 2015 08:25 PM (mctSY)

171 WNBA would be more successful if they had the same uniforms as women's beach volleyball.

Then you would see their dicks.



I kid, I kid.

Posted by: toby928(C) mutters at February 22, 2015 08:25 PM (rwI+c)

172 Talk about bored. I am buying shit on Amazon sober.


Got a pizza stone we were talking about in food thread

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 08:25 PM (0FSuD)

173 Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 08:24 PM (37e3g)

Bingo.

Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 08:26 PM (R5HRU)

174 MLB & the NFL both need to speed their game up.

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at February 22, 2015 08:26 PM (hcfn1)

175 And then a week later, told him via text, she wasn't interested anymore.


Posted by: Jane D'oh at February 22, 2015 08:22 PM (FsuaD)

In the long run, he'll thank her!

Posted by: Hrothgar at February 22, 2015 08:26 PM (ftVQq)

176 Shit, I just realized these stupid Oscars are going to go on till midnight.


I picked the wrong month to stop drinking

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 08:26 PM (0FSuD)

177 Mainstream Black America lives to self-aggrandize and attention-whore


Oh fuck you.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 08:27 PM (37e3g)

178 Women's basketball is like it used to be in NBA: passing, team play, actual plays and strategy, not wait for a shot and get it to the big star while the refs look away as he fouls people. NBA is corrupt as hell.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at February 22, 2015 08:27 PM (39g3+)

179 "It's a 3D chess game, most people don't notice it or don't care. "

The more you know about baseball, the more exciting it gets. The team at bat is down 2 runs in the 6 inning, they have the bases loaded with 2 outs but the pitcher's coming up to bat and he's not a good hitter. However, he's settled down and is pitching a gem after a rough first inning. Do you let him hit or do you take him out of the game and use a pinch hitter? (Scenarios like that are why I like the NL.)


"Like the Wrigley Field crowd, let's drink and ogle, and google, and text. Oh did the Cubs lose ?"
Posted by: seamrog at February 22, 2015 08:15 PM (m4MJN)

To be fair, being a Cubs fan at a Cubs game and actually paying attention can be deeply depressing (although that might change this season.)

Posted by: Donna &&&&&& V. (brandishing ampersands) at February 22, 2015 08:27 PM (+XMAD)

180 We need to integrate hockey. Too many short white men.
Posted by: obama
---------------

It's not an issue of win or lose, it's an issue of fairness.

Posted by: Barky at February 22, 2015 08:27 PM (l1zOH)

181 In the long run, he'll thank her!


Posted by: Hrothgar at February 22, 2015 08:26 PM (ftVQq)


Yep. He's already heard from friends that she "regrets" the breakup.
Son will never take her back.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at February 22, 2015 08:27 PM (FsuaD)

182 "Shit, I just realized these stupid Oscars are going to go on till midnight."

Okay, I've got a tough one for you: The past five minutes of these Oscars or the Super Bowl halftime show?

Posted by: AD at February 22, 2015 08:28 PM (pXB1a)

183 176 It has been raining here in So Cal, there is a god.

Posted by: Bob from table9 at February 22, 2015 08:28 PM (WNERA)

184
Then explain "the third strike is an out, unless you tip the ball and the catcher drops it, then you get to try to run to first".

If there is less than two outs *and* first base is open.


Exactly! And if baseball is just the pond you grew up in you have no idea until you have to make it make sense to somebody from the non-baseball world.

Posted by: Bandersnatch at February 22, 2015 08:28 PM (1xUj/)

185 171 WNBA would be more successful if they had the same uniforms as women's beach volleyball.

Then you would see their dicks.

I kid, I kid.
Posted by: toby928(C) mutters at February 22, 2015 08:25 PM (rwI+c)

Jock straps would keep them from flopping around

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at February 22, 2015 08:28 PM (hcfn1)

186 Women's soccer does well in their once every four years World Cup appearance.

Figure skating does a nice business of touring arena ice shows in between Olympics. Only the gold medalists get rich-rich, but they can make a decent living on the touring shows.

Posted by: Costanza Defense at February 22, 2015 08:28 PM (ZPrif)

187 Shit, I just realized these stupid Oscars are going to go on till midnight.


I picked the wrong month to stop drinking
Posted by: Nip
-----------------

9:00, zombie slaughter.

Posted by: Barky at February 22, 2015 08:29 PM (l1zOH)

188 The kids I feel bad about are the ones that pass up an MLB contract to play football. Yeah, fewer games, more star power but... dude, your career can last 20 years in baseball. You're lucky if you get 5 in football, and the pay is worse.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at February 22, 2015 08:29 PM (39g3+)

189 Exactly! And if baseball is just the pond you grew up in you have no idea until you have to make it make sense to somebody from the non-baseball world.
Posted by: Bandersnatch at February 22, 2015

The tuck rule

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at February 22, 2015 08:29 PM (hcfn1)

190 The main pro volleyball league in America went bankrupt a couple years ago. maybe it restarted.

Women's beach volleyball seems like the kind of thing ppl would watch. But they don't. Everybody thinks everybody else would watch it. it gets a good bit of pub every Olympics.

Posted by: Costanza Defense at February 22, 2015 08:30 PM (ZPrif)

191 Mlb drafts a high school kid today he's in the system 5 years grinding away for his shot
Posted by: Trump at February 22, 2015 08:25 PM (mctSY)



Making 5000 a year, if he's very very lucky.

Not pretty. At all. God bless each and everyone of them.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 08:31 PM (37e3g)

192 Like the Wrigley Field crowd, let's drink and ogle, and google, and text. Oh did the Cubs lose ?

And smoke a bowl, apparently. Last time I was at Wrigley it reeked of pot.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at February 22, 2015 08:31 PM (39g3+)

193 Posted by: Trump at February 22, 2015 08:25 PM (mctSY)

LOL. That's assuming they're good enough to get there FIRST.

Mind you there is no minor league system for the NFL - college aside - MLB and NBA does.

In fact there's a lot of discussion in expanding the NBDL so that these youngsters coming have somewhere to go to refine their skills just like in the MLB. The NFL is discussing a similar thing as well. Which would then equate to the MLB grind session. As it stands now NBA youngsters take the same amount of years to get "it" as MLB prospects do. Same for some NFL players.

Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 08:31 PM (R5HRU)

194 Nobody actually wants to watch beach volleyball, they just want to see those tan, fit girls in those ridiculously tight teeny shorts. The play is irrelevant, volleyball is pretty dull to watch.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at February 22, 2015 08:32 PM (39g3+)

195 It's not an issue of win or lose, it's an issue of fairness.

Posted by: Barky at February 22, 2015 08:27 PM (l1zOH)

Everyone gets a Stanley Cup! Because, fairness and middle class

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 08:33 PM (0FSuD)

196 The main thing that would help baseball is replace those damn aluminum bats with wood ones in college. That *tink!* sound and the unnatural pop off the bat for those 360 batting averages is just wrong. Bats are expensive? See above about the 15 million a year contracts these players are getting. They can afford to buy bats for colleges.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at February 22, 2015 08:33 PM (39g3+)

197 194
Nobody actually wants to watch beach volleyball, they just want to see
those tan, fit girls in those ridiculously tight teeny shorts. The play
is irrelevant, volleyball is pretty dull to watch.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at February 22, 2015 08:32 PM (39g3+)

What you are saying is that it's pole dancing with a net?

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 08:34 PM (0FSuD)

198 *Reads Tammy's comment*

and boom goes the dynamite.

Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 08:34 PM (R5HRU)

199 "Baseball players have the perfect build. "

Most of them do. (Not Prince Fielder, but fat players are more the exception than the rule.) And because their uniforms aren't padded you get a good look at their builds. *Fans herself again*


"Or so I have been told, because of course I never notice such things."

Ha! It was fun having you on the WS thread, precisely 'cause you and I notice certain things about those players that Cochran doesn't
Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 08:20 PM (37e3g)

Posted by: Donna &&&&&& V. (brandishing ampersands) at February 22, 2015 08:34 PM (+XMAD)

200 191 Mlb drafts a high school kid today he's in the system 5 years grinding away for his shot
Posted by: Trump at February 22, 2015 08:25 PM (mctSY)


Making 5000 a year, if he's very very lucky.

Not pretty. At all. God bless each and everyone of them.
Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 08:31 PM (37e3g)

-----And the shot may never come. Prospects lose their status all the time, other players can surpass them. Basketball and football you can get a payday at least before you flame out.

Posted by: Trump at February 22, 2015 08:34 PM (mctSY)

201 "

In 1924 the members of the Montreal Canadiens were on their way to a celebration party after their Stanley Cup win.

The car carrying the cup got a flat tire and was pulled to the side of the road for repairs. The passengers took the cup and left it on the side of the road. They went to their party, but when it was time to drink champagne out of the cup, they realized it was missing.

They went back to retrieve it, it was exactly where they had left it.

How do you forget the Stanley Cup, especially when your going to be drinking out of it?"

Posted by: toby928(C) mutters at February 22, 2015 08:34 PM (rwI+c)

202 Posted by: Trump at February 22, 2015 08:34 PM (mctSY)

Contracts aren't guaranteed in NFL. Not sure how minor league contracts work for the MLB.

Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 08:35 PM (R5HRU)

203 right, but most of the v-ball girls aren't attractive at the elite level since they tend to crazy tall and lanky.

Bikinis are great. 6'2 girls with no breasts in a bikini -- not as fun. Elite vball chicks tend to be built like tall, skinny boys.

Posted by: Costanza Defense at February 22, 2015 08:36 PM (ZPrif)

204 That's a nice looking field.

They should play football there.

Posted by: scott at February 22, 2015 08:36 PM (2JSDI)

205 How do you forget the Stanley Cup, especially when your going to be drinking out of it?"

Posted by: toby928(C) mutters at February 22, 2015 08:34 PM (rwI+c)

I'll take drunk for $1,000, Alex.

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 08:36 PM (0FSuD)

206 Posted by: toby928(C) mutters at February 22, 2015 08:34 PM (rwI+c)

Canadiens, eh?

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at February 22, 2015 08:37 PM (hcfn1)

207 How do you forget the Stanley Cup, especially when your going to be drinking out of it?

Because you were drinking already

I have an unrelated question now: why on earth is Emma Watson making speeches on transgendered people and getting so much love for it? I mean that's what... 1% of 1% of 1% of the population, and only in the absolute riches parts of the world? This is like giving an impassioned speech on not picking on dorks who play paladins in D&D. Who gives a rat's patootie? What about the real horrors of the world like little girls being used as an explosive by IS?

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at February 22, 2015 08:37 PM (39g3+)

208 Apropos of nothing, the XFL (RIP) had a couple of things I really liked and wish the NFL would adopt. The sprint for the football rather than a coin toss to determine first possession, and that the broadcasts let us hear the coaches calling in the plays.

Posted by: toby928(C) mutters at February 22, 2015 08:37 PM (rwI+c)

209 202 Posted by: Trump at February 22, 2015 08:34 PM (mctSY)

Contracts aren't guaranteed in NFL. Not sure how minor league contracts work for the MLB.

--- correct NFL isn't guaranteed but odds still better for pay than mlb

Posted by: Trump at February 22, 2015 08:38 PM (mctSY)

210 Bored w/ me? Go to Amazon Prime and watch great new cop series 'Bosch'!

Posted by: Oscar 2015 at February 22, 2015 08:38 PM (gwG9s)

211 XFL was over the top but... some smart marketing stuff there. With a bit more talent and a few more years, it probably would have been huge. Nicknames on the jerseys, focusing on the cheerleaders, lots of more interesting stuff.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at February 22, 2015 08:39 PM (39g3+)

212
I have an unrelated question now: why on earth is Emma Watson making speeches on transgendered people and getting so much love for it? I mean that's what... 1% of 1% of 1% of the population, and only in the absolute riches parts of the world? This is like giving an impassioned speech on not picking on dorks who play paladins in D&D. Who gives a rat's patootie? What about the real horrors of the world like little girls being used as an explosive by IS?

-----It's the hot fad. Next year she'll be onto something else. #bringbackourgirls

Posted by: Trump at February 22, 2015 08:40 PM (mctSY)

213 Oh fuck you.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 08:27 PM (37e3g)

Agreed.

And fixed.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 22, 2015 08:40 PM (Zu3d9)

214 I'm at the Oscars, bitches!! LOL!

Posted by: He Hate Me at February 22, 2015 08:40 PM (gwG9s)

215 AMC -- The Walking DeadABC -- The Walking Brain Dead

Posted by: TV Tonight at February 22, 2015 08:41 PM (OVx7B)

216 The XFL proved that there are not enough elite offensive players, particularly linemen, *not* in the NFL vs defensive players. Every play was Snap the ball and watch the QB run for his life. RBs could never beat LBs to the the corner either.

Posted by: toby928(C) mutters at February 22, 2015 08:41 PM (rwI+c)

217 Posted by: toby928(C) mutters at February 22, 2015 08:37 PM (rwI+c)

I did like the rush to the ball. However, with the whole concussion scare that would be nixed. Hearing the coaches call plays would probably need some editing one would imagine.


Trump - again, if you make it. There's a ton of guys who never make it and outside of the practice squad and a few start ups that pay like MLB minor leagues there isn't much else.

Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 08:41 PM (R5HRU)

218 I have amazon prime, but I have never watched it. Too much trouble.

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 08:41 PM (0FSuD)

219 Is it a gun thread yet?

Posted by: fairweatherbill bucking the wind at February 22, 2015 08:41 PM (efn6Q)

220 Er... Great spacing, Pixy.

Posted by: TV Tonight at February 22, 2015 08:42 PM (OVx7B)

221 Is it a gun thread yet?

Past 200 so, yeah.

Posted by: toby928(C) mutters at February 22, 2015 08:42 PM (rwI+c)

222 Prospects lose their status all the time, other players can surpass them. Basketball and football you can get a payday at least before you flame out.
Posted by: Trump at February 22, 2015 08:34 PM (mctSY)

But if you make it - jeez, I'm floored by what they make in mlb these days.

The 1950's Dodgers went back to working construction jobs, sales jobs, office jobs after they retired from baseball. One of the best players, Carl Furillo, worked on the World Trade Center. Try to imagine Derek Jeter showing up with his WS rings and sitting in the cubicle next to yours.

Posted by: Donna &&&&&& V. (brandishing ampersands) at February 22, 2015 08:43 PM (+XMAD)

223 Next year Emma Watson will be giving speeches about what the prince's tonsils taste like. I just am confused why the huge respect for her UN talks like she's Gandhi now or something. Yeah, she's cute and I loved Hermione too but really?

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at February 22, 2015 08:44 PM (39g3+)

224 .....Try to imagine Derek Jeter showing up with his WS rings and sitting in the cubicle next to yours.
Posted by: Donna &&&&&& V. (brandishing ampersands) at February

The dogs would be pissed

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at February 22, 2015 08:45 PM (hcfn1)

225 The 1950's Dodgers went back to working construction jobs, sales jobs, office jobs after they retired from baseball.

In the 1950s, they were working those jobs in the off season just to pay the bills.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at February 22, 2015 08:45 PM (39g3+)

226 Posted by: toby928(C) mutters at February 22, 2015 08:41 PM (rwI+

The USFL didn't seem to prove that.

Posted by: Bob Belcher at February 22, 2015 08:45 PM (BBBoi)

227 Not sure how old the writer is but I have 2 boys just out of high school. Sports have become an arms race. Private tutoring at 50 to 100 dollars an hour by college champions is not uncommon. The kids who can't pay that may have a chance to get noticed in high school but the ones can pay have a real advantage in being well coached. Add in camps and club teams and you have a hill to climb.

Posted by: typo dynamofo at February 22, 2015 08:46 PM (i7JE3)

228 30 more posts, 250

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 08:47 PM (0FSuD)

229 We're watching the Oscars now, waiting to see Tim McGraw sing the Glen Campbell song. I hope it wins. That's a great movie.

Posted by: Mr. Natural at February 22, 2015 08:47 PM (/pOl7)

230 If XFL had survived 2 or 3 years I could easily seem them pulling hot shots out of the NFL to be in the new league. I mean Deion Sanders might like playing on the Falcons, but if he can play football, dominate even more, and get XFL style attention?

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at February 22, 2015 08:48 PM (39g3+)

231 Oh, and nice dress J-Lo. Yowza!

Posted by: Mr. Natural at February 22, 2015 08:49 PM (/pOl7)

232 "I forget who to thank for the heads up, but "thanks"

You're welcome.

Saw it at the movies, and there was silence as everyone walked out at the end.

The acting was pretty good for rookies.
The voice part? kinda wooden in spots.

But, glad to see the turnout that I did at the theater.

Enjoy.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 22, 2015 08:49 PM (YrXgo)

233 Drudge has it right. The Oscars boring-est show on TV.

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 08:50 PM (0FSuD)

234 222
The 1950's Dodgers went back to working construction jobs, sales jobs, office jobs after they retired from baseball. One of the best players, Carl Furillo, worked on the World Trade Center. Try to imagine Derek Jeter showing up with his WS rings and sitting in the cubicle next to yours.

Posted by: Donna &&&&&& V. (brandishing ampersands) at February 22, 2015 08:43 PM (+XMAD)



I remember hearing that the Pittsburgh Pirates' Richie Hebner worked as a gravedigger in the off season. And that was in the 1970s.

Posted by: rickl at February 22, 2015 08:50 PM (sdi6R)

235 And as we arrive at the much vaunted 'It's a gum thread now",

I'm hitting the skid.

Too much snow shoveling, and snow blowing.

See you all on the flip side.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 22, 2015 08:51 PM (YrXgo)

236 Are you assholes watching the Oscars?

Shame!

*reaches for cat-o-nine-tails*

*morons line up*

Posted by: Jane D'oh at February 22, 2015 08:51 PM (FsuaD)

237 Here's a toast to my husband, who arrives in Iowa tonight, to visit a potential client.

(He had to borrow a really heavy duty jacket to wear.)

Posted by: Jane D'oh at February 22, 2015 08:53 PM (FsuaD)

238 I'm watching my twitter feed for humiliating pics of stars from oscars, like Lady Gaga wearing dishwashing gloves and Scarlett Johanssen wearing Brigitte Nielsen's hair. Oh, and John Travolta's obvious hair plugs.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at February 22, 2015 08:53 PM (39g3+)

239
Are you assholes watching the Oscars?

Shame!

*reaches for cat-o-nine-tails*


So. You're rooting for 50 Shades?

Posted by: Bandersnatch at February 22, 2015 08:53 PM (1xUj/)

240 MLS has grown tons the last decade. Still small beans, but solid growth.

Rugby is growing some. The Olympics help. USA Rugby is grabbing college football players who aren't quite good enough for the NFL, especially guys who have the speed, but not quite NFL size.

Posted by: Costanza Defense at February 22, 2015 08:54 PM (ZPrif)

241 Lets go 11 more, then GUNS!

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 08:54 PM (0FSuD)

242 So. You're rooting for 50 Shades?

Posted by: Bandersnatch at February 22, 2015 08:53 PM (1xUj/)


Ummm. No. There are certain members of the Horde, however....

Posted by: Jane D'oh at February 22, 2015 08:55 PM (FsuaD)

243 bump

Posted by: toby928(C) mutters at February 22, 2015 08:56 PM (rwI+c)

244 I'd watch rugby or Australian Rules Football, but soccer just does nothing for me. I think its part just stubborn refusal to go along with the douchebags who pretend they love it, but part of it is just 1 hour of guys booting a ball aimlessly around a field to score 3 total goals.

Its over with in a hurry but nothing is happening in the game for almost the entire time. There's a reason soccer fans are singing and waving flags and rioting, because the pitch is dull as drying paint.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at February 22, 2015 08:56 PM (39g3+)

245 Walking Dead, biyatches!!

Posted by: Insomniac at February 22, 2015 08:56 PM (mx5oN)

246 Le bump

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 22, 2015 08:57 PM (YrXgo)

247 Nothing against any real Cub fans, but the few times I've gone to Wrigley, most in attendance were not focusing on the game.

They were there to be seen, the game was a reason to party and look for hook ups.

And don't give me that " Well, the teams are so bad, what else can you do"

I've been a White Sox fan forever, and they have their fair share of suckage. (bammy ain't a real fan)

That never happened at Comiskey/US Cellular til they started winning.

Mostly Cub fans.

Posted by: seamrog at February 22, 2015 08:57 PM (m4MJN)

248 Half back passes to the center, back to the wing, back to the center. Center holds it. Holds it. HOLDS IT!.

Posted by: toby928(C) mutters at February 22, 2015 08:57 PM (rwI+c)

249 241>> I'll jump in early. Waiting for my Trijicon 3dot sights for my .45..... ordered them a month ago at the range. Still waiting......

Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at February 22, 2015 08:57 PM (60Vyp)

250 My brother played amateur ball, college ball, and in the Mexican leagues. Scouts said he had a better chance making MLB due to his play in Monterey. My bro is a dick. Went to law school. His sons have been making their way through the system. I always hated Steve Garvey. Dodger suck. My nephew played against his kid in LL play. Garvey invited everyone in the tourney to his place for a BBQ.

Posted by: Osoloco at February 22, 2015 08:58 PM (9kGho)

251 Bush lied to our black president and we don't like this. Bush should be punished for his crime against the world.

Posted by: Mary Clogginstien from Brattleboro,VT at February 22, 2015 08:58 PM (D5iCY)

252 It's a gun thread !!!!!!

G'night all

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 22, 2015 08:58 PM (YrXgo)

253 >>>Walking Dead, biyatches!!Posted by: Insomniac at February 22, 2015 08:56 PM (mx5oN)<<<


What did the five fingers say to the face...

**bam**

I'm Rick Grimes, bitch.

Posted by: Rick Grimes at February 22, 2015 08:59 PM (OVx7B)

254 *Reads Tammy's comment*

and boom goes the dynamite.
Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 08:34 PM (R5HRU)



Oh dear, what have I said now??

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 08:59 PM (37e3g)

255 At least in hockey, its powerful and impressive action on a smaller arena. And the amazing athletic ability of those guys on skates is inhuman. Yeah, I can't really tell what is going on and I lost the pick a period ago, but its fun to watch anyway. And how many sports do you get to see that much blood per game?

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at February 22, 2015 08:59 PM (39g3+)

256 Anyone else have a Wylde chamber in an AR15?


I never heard of them, til I bought one. They can shot both 556 and 223.



Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 09:00 PM (0FSuD)

257 pick, puck, whatever.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at February 22, 2015 09:00 PM (39g3+)

258 Oh Jesus Christ this speech by Nicole Kidman and the heavy from serenity is pathetic.

Posted by: Kreplach at February 22, 2015 09:00 PM (DDFkt)

259 I dunno, baseball must just come naturally to me. I was asked to pitch at Kaminsky Park once, and I gather I was pretty awesome.

Posted by: Barack Obama at February 22, 2015 09:01 PM (FcR7P)

260 I got new commie iron this week. A Romanian AES10-B that CAI imported. Basically a heavy barreled AK with permanent bipod and dainty clubfoot stock. NIB, for which I paid a $100-200 dollar premium. Typical thin Romanian phosphated finish. Chromelined barrel and a carry handle. No pictures or range time yet. Maybe next week.

Posted by: toby928(C) mutters at February 22, 2015 09:01 PM (rwI+c)

261 Catherine Herridge comes up on Fox, and I stop whatever I'm doing and listen to her.

The woman has witnessed things on video that even we haven't seen, and she's cool and collected.

She's amazing. I also feel for her. The nightmares.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at February 22, 2015 09:01 PM (FsuaD)

262 My daughter is finishing HS and will be playing her sport at a D1 college in the fall. Having watched the whole recruiting process, I would put the importance of travel team experience just slightly above the choice of socks. It's about talent, hard work, ability to be coached, and character.

Posted by: USA at February 22, 2015 09:01 PM (tfM+W)

263 Oh, it looks bad-assed with the drum on it, impractical as that may be.

Posted by: toby928(C) mutters at February 22, 2015 09:02 PM (rwI+c)

264 Wait...are you idiots watching the Oscars????

Pussies.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at February 22, 2015 09:02 PM (FsuaD)

265 bob at table 9 = Gun you have regretted selling.
A damn bunch of them. And yet, I am giving an M4 to a friend in the spring. I have it. He needs it. It's the Christian thing top do. So sue me. Or put me in a camp. If a dead guy in a camp is worth anything.

Posted by: Eromero at February 22, 2015 09:02 PM (go5uR)

266 Gun thread?

https://pbs.tw___.com/media/B-fnw5LCQAARmpw.jpg

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at February 22, 2015 09:02 PM (39g3+)

267 178 Women's basketball is like it used to be in NBA: passing, team play, actual plays and strategy, not wait for a shot and get it to the big star while the refs look away as he fouls people. NBA is corrupt as hell.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at February 22, 2015 08:27 PM (39g3+)

Yeah, but last year the team with the most passing and actual plays won the championship, and they have the winningest record over the last 15 years in all of pro sports. We laugh at our Spurs sometimes-- hey guys SOMEONE has to take the shot. They love to pass.

Posted by: stace at February 22, 2015 09:02 PM (ImzkZ)

268 Oh hell yea, Aussie Rules Football and Rugby. Mmmm mmm, mmmm.


And I go through stages with Lacrosse; one of my brothers played and I really like it, but I never seem to think to look for it on the TV.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 09:03 PM (37e3g)

269 BTW, for all you who are "waiting for baseball to start," the college season started Friday a week ago; and lots of the teams have free admission. Makes a nice afternoon or evening with the kids/grandkids, and there's usually a good bit of scoring going on.

Posted by: Enby at February 22, 2015 09:03 PM (QP2lF)

270 @ the Oscars! Some guy just told me that I'm great in Game of Thrones. WTF?

Posted by: Tom Cruise at February 22, 2015 09:03 PM (gwG9s)

271 237 Here's a toast to my husband, who arrives in Iowa tonight, to visit a potential client.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at February 22, 2015 08:53 PM (FsuaD)


Where in Iowa, Jane?

Posted by: Iowa Bob at February 22, 2015 09:03 PM (aNzsD)

272
I technically like soccer every four years because of the World Cup, but I don't always admit it.

I was in Rome in 2006 when Italy won it. It was a great feeling to be so wrapped up in it. Everyone knew which game was next and who was playing whom and all that.

But when Italians would ask me if I understood soccer I'd say, "yes, it's like ice hockey except without the excitement".

Posted by: Bandersnatch at February 22, 2015 09:03 PM (1xUj/)

273 Well, I'm off to watch teevee in bed. Husband is braving Iowa's temps of 18 or something tonight and tomorrow.

The Oscars??? Seriously???

Jeebus.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at February 22, 2015 09:03 PM (FsuaD)

274 @264

Want to see if American Sniper pulls any upsets.

Posted by: Kreplach at February 22, 2015 09:04 PM (DDFkt)

275 258
Oh Jesus Christ this speech by Nicole Kidman and the heavy from serenity is pathetic.

Posted by: Kreplach at February 22, 2015 09:00 PM (DDFkt)

This is your brain. This is your brain dead. Turn off the Oscars

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 09:04 PM (0FSuD)

276 rdbrewer's freudian slip: Westword -> "Westworld", in context of movies needing a reboot

That was... perfect. I bow to this.

Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at February 22, 2015 09:04 PM (AVEe1)

277 Where in Iowa, Jane?

Posted by: Iowa Bob at February 22, 2015 09:03 PM (aNzsD)


*kicks self* Cedar Rapids???

Posted by: Jane D'oh at February 22, 2015 09:05 PM (FsuaD)

278 there's usually a good bit of scoring going on.

Its the aluminum bats *tink!* I could hit a fastball with one of those. You can tip it off the knob at the base of the bat and get a triple.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at February 22, 2015 09:05 PM (39g3+)

279 Posted by: Christopher Taylor at February 22, 2015 08:59 PM (39g3+)


Hockey is OUTSTANDING. I get ALL fired up watching a game live.

Going to see a game with Vendette is on my Bucket List.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 09:05 PM (37e3g)

280 If American Sniper wins a single oscar in any category for anything I'll drink a bottle of habanero tobasco. We have one. I think its melted part way through the glass bottle.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at February 22, 2015 09:05 PM (39g3+)

281 But when Italians would ask me if I understood soccer I'd say, "yes, it's like ice hockey except without the excitement".
Posted by: Bandersnatch at February

Soccer makes baseball look exciting

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at February 22, 2015 09:06 PM (hcfn1)

282 What gun did Kyle shot in Am Sniper? The Sniper gun?

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 09:06 PM (0FSuD)

283 I went to a fight once. A hockey game broke out.

lolololololo

*rim shot*

Posted by: Jane D'oh at February 22, 2015 09:06 PM (FsuaD)

284 It sort of looks like a bull barrel 308?

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 09:07 PM (0FSuD)

285 Posted by: Enby at February 22, 2015 09:03 PM (QP2lF)

Seconding this. The bats drive me insane, but college ball is so awesome. I was a Diamond Doll/Darling/Angel at every freaking university I went to.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 09:07 PM (37e3g)

286 Hockey is OUTSTANDING. I get ALL fired up watching a game live.

Going to see a game with Vendette is on my Bucket List.
Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 09:05 PM (37e3g)

Better cheer for them Oilers

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at February 22, 2015 09:07 PM (hcfn1)

287 Some asshole thought I was a dwarf on GoT!

Posted by: Tom Cruise at February 22, 2015 09:07 PM (gwG9s)

288 What gun did Kyle shot in Am Sniper? The Sniper gun?

Wiki, ftiw, says McMillan Tac-50.

Posted by: toby928(C) mutters at February 22, 2015 09:08 PM (rwI+c)

289 287
Some asshole thought I was a dwarf on GoT!

Posted by: Tom Cruise at February 22, 2015 09:07 PM (gwG9s)

I know the feeling

Posted by: Jeff Gordon, "Rainbow warrior" at February 22, 2015 09:08 PM (0FSuD)

290 277

*kicks self* Cedar Rapids???

Posted by: Jane D'oh at February 22, 2015 09:05 PM (FsuaD)


AKA "The City of Five Smells" (actually, the motto is "City of Five Seasons", but anyone who has spent any time there knows that the "Smells" one is closer to reality.

Posted by: Iowa Bob at February 22, 2015 09:08 PM (aNzsD)

291 g'early evenin', 'rons

Posted by: AltonJackson at February 22, 2015 09:08 PM (4gN5w)

292 college baseball has grown tons last 20 years. especially in the South

Posted by: Costanza Defense at February 22, 2015 09:08 PM (ZPrif)

293 If American Sniper wins best film, I'll be shocked.

I honestly believe Hollywood hates the film. But they can't deny the numbers going to see the film.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at February 22, 2015 09:09 PM (FsuaD)

294 Wiki, ftiw, says McMillan Tac-50.


What the hell is that. I'll go look it up

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 09:09 PM (0FSuD)

295 Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 08:59 PM (37e3g)

Hah nothing, you just told that one guy to fuck off. Didn't even bother to get into a discussion.

Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 09:09 PM (R5HRU)

296 I'm telling you, if you want a rimshot to go with your joke, or to respond, there's a site for that:

http://instantrimshot.com/

And no this isn't a porn site or something.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at February 22, 2015 09:09 PM (39g3+)

297 oops, McMillan Tac-338.

Posted by: toby928(C) mutters at February 22, 2015 09:10 PM (rwI+c)

298 @294

Holy shit. I can not believe he would be shooting 50 cal. The noise and recoil would be too much



http://tinyurl.com/7dgy83

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 09:11 PM (0FSuD)

299 293 If American Sniper wins best film, I'll be shocked.

I honestly believe Hollywood hates the film. But they can't deny the numbers going to see the film.
Posted by: Jane D'oh at February 22, 2015 09:09 PM (FsuaD)

Hollywood does hate it. Numbers don't mean shit to them. It's all about arts & farts

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at February 22, 2015 09:11 PM (hcfn1)

300 I wouldn't watch the Oscars to save my life. Eff those clowns and everything they stand for. Look at me. I can do make believe shit really good.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at February 22, 2015 09:12 PM (ucDmr)

301 Holy shit. I can not believe he would be shooting 50 cal. The noise and recoil would be too much

yeah, sorry C&P accident. .338L

Posted by: toby928(C) mutters at February 22, 2015 09:12 PM (rwI+c)

302 I'm watching the Oscars for the first time in years because I want to see American Sniper win something major. Doogie mentioned right off the bat that AS has made as much money as the other movies put together. Eat shit, commies.

Posted by: stace at February 22, 2015 09:12 PM (ImzkZ)

303 My wish:

Michael Moore will have a grabber, and demand to be flown to Havana, Cuba, to have the "Best Healthcare Anywhere."

And sadly, after arriving in Cuba, he's not recognized as a Cuban citizen.

*end scene*

Posted by: Jane D'oh at February 22, 2015 09:13 PM (FsuaD)

304 @297

That makes more sense, but looks like the Canadians ARE shooting 50 cal.

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 09:14 PM (0FSuD)

305 >> Hollywood does hate it. Numbers don't mean shit to them. It's all about arts farts

It's all about the "statement".
votes are not based on how good a film is, but what the voter wants others to think that they think is good.

CA is layers upon layers of deception, starting with the most venal type - self deception.

Posted by: Gentlemen, This is democracy manifest at February 22, 2015 09:14 PM (LWu6U)

306 Well, I'm signing off tonight.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at February 22, 2015 09:14 PM (FsuaD)

307 Kyle used .300 Winmag a lot too.

Posted by: stace at February 22, 2015 09:16 PM (ImzkZ)

308
300 I wouldn't watch the Oscars to save my life. Eff those clowns and everything they stand for. Look at me. I can do make believe shit really good.
Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at February 22, 2015 09:12 PM (ucDmr)

I've never watched them

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at February 22, 2015 09:16 PM (hcfn1)

309 Evening, 'rons.


Not going to work tomorrow. Ice overnight, and ice all day tomorrow. Even if it is navigable in the morning, I'm not risking getting stuck at work in my RWD sports car, so I'll call the boss in the morning.


Now, another drink...

Posted by: DangerGirl and her 1.21 gigawatt Sanity Prod (tm) at February 22, 2015 09:16 PM (KuU4f)

310
Posted by: DangerGirl and her

Prost DG

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at February 22, 2015 09:19 PM (hcfn1)

311 Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 09:09 PM (R5HRU)

Oh, that asshole. I wish I'd seen it sooner.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 09:19 PM (37e3g)

312 Night Miss Jane...I'm so glad you're back!

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 09:20 PM (37e3g)

313 Prost DG

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at February 22, 2015 09:19 PM (hcfn1)

Sláinte, MH!

Posted by: DangerGirl and her 1.21 gigawatt Sanity Prod (tm) at February 22, 2015 09:20 PM (KuU4f)

314 Crisis Hotline For Veterans wins an award after the films by brown people killed by racist bitter clingers.

Posted by: Tattoo De Plane at February 22, 2015 09:20 PM (Y92Nd)

315 Hey DG! How's was the soup?

Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at February 22, 2015 09:21 PM (60Vyp)

316 Oh damn that black diamond!!!! Sla(accent)inte!

Posted by: DangerGirl and her 1.21 gigawatt Sanity Prod (tm) at February 22, 2015 09:21 PM (KuU4f)

317 Dougie Howser had a zinger about the recipient's dress, though. Now back to white guilt.

Posted by: Tattoo De Plane at February 22, 2015 09:22 PM (Y92Nd)

318 315
Hey DG! How's was the soup?

Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at February 22, 2015 09:21 PM (60Vyp)


Awesome. If you like beef n barley, look up Barefoot Contessa's soup recipe. Though, she calls for oxtails, I cut up a chuck roast and used that instead and added mushrooms and it came out wonderfully.

Posted by: DangerGirl and her 1.21 gigawatt Sanity Prod (tm) at February 22, 2015 09:22 PM (KuU4f)

319 Huh. Game of Thrones season 4 came out last week on DVD

Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at February 22, 2015 09:22 PM (AVEe1)

320 308: Me either. Nothing more mind numbing. Besides, all those assholes really piss me off.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at February 22, 2015 09:23 PM (ucDmr)

321 >>Hollywood does hate it. Numbers don't mean shit to them. It's all about arts farts

Exactly.

Posted by: Lizzy at February 22, 2015 09:24 PM (lHHyw)

322 316 Oh damn that black diamond!!!! Sla(accent)inte!
Posted by: DangerGirl and her 1.21 gigawatt Sanity Prod (tm) at February 22, 2015 09:21 PM (KuU4f

Well you are DangerGirl

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at February 22, 2015 09:24 PM (hcfn1)

323 Posted by: Enby at February 22, 2015 09:03 PM (QP2lF)

College baseball games are a blast.

Ah, too bad we can't all get in the time machine and go back to watch Cochran throwing his curveball.

Posted by: Donna &&&&&& V. (brandishing ampersands) at February 22, 2015 09:24 PM (+XMAD)

324 Tim McGraw singing a tribute to Glenn Campbell. Im pleasantly surprised at Hollywood.

Posted by: Tattoo De Plane at February 22, 2015 09:26 PM (Y92Nd)

325 Anyone watching The Walking Dead?

Posted by: Lizzy at February 22, 2015 09:27 PM (lHHyw)

326 Oh Glenn Campbell...what a sad, sad story. Alzheimer's is a royal bitch.

Posted by: DangerGirl and her 1.21 gigawatt Sanity Prod (tm) at February 22, 2015 09:27 PM (KuU4f)

327 I have to say that they are being a little edgy at the Oscars with regards to race.

That is pretty interesting.

Posted by: Kreplach at February 22, 2015 09:27 PM (DDFkt)

328 326
Oh Glenn Campbell...what a sad, sad story. Alzheimer's is a royal bitch.


I thought he was a drunk?

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 09:28 PM (0FSuD)

329 Who cares if we fought the whole 2nd grade !!

Posted by: Bad News Bears at February 22, 2015 09:29 PM (pIhxB)

330 That Glenn Campbell song better win. What a sad, sad story.

Posted by: Mr. Natural at February 22, 2015 09:29 PM (/pOl7)

331 Is this the The Oscars thread?

Posted by: Dr Spank at February 22, 2015 09:29 PM (TJCSB)

332 >>Anyone watching The Walking Dead?Posted by: Lizzy at February 22, 2015 09:27 PM (lHHyw)<<<

Nope.

We're watching... you.

Posted by: Aaron, with a parabolic mic in the car at February 22, 2015 09:30 PM (OVx7B)

333 I thought he was a drunk?


Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 09:28 PM (0FSuD)


He has Alzheimer's.

Posted by: DangerGirl and her 1.21 gigawatt Sanity Prod (tm) at February 22, 2015 09:31 PM (KuU4f)

334 Hockey

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at February 22, 2015 09:31 PM (hcfn1)

335 328: Glen kinda partied the 70's away like a lot of people. Not sure if Alzheimer's has anything to do with that or not.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at February 22, 2015 09:32 PM (ucDmr)

336 And Campbell's family is total class. Amazing things they've gone through, and continue to. God Bless them as they go through this journey. Alzheimer's is a horrible awful disease.

Posted by: Mr. Natural at February 22, 2015 09:32 PM (/pOl7)

337 you know they put listening devices in the cheese right?

Posted by: Super Creepy Rob Lowe at February 22, 2015 09:32 PM (pIhxB)

338 Oscars gets great TV ratings.

It's usually the single most popular non-NFL annual TV show. In Olympic years the opening ceremony will beat it.

Awards shows do good ratings. That's why there are so many. And the Oscars do the best of all awards shows.

Posted by: Costanza Defense at February 22, 2015 09:32 PM (ZPrif)

339 325 Anyone watching The Walking Dead?
Posted by: Lizzy at February 22, 2015 09:27 PM (lHHyw)

Aaarrrrrgh. *shambles* *shuffles*

Posted by: Insomniac at February 22, 2015 09:32 PM (mx5oN)

340 This is terrible.

Posted by: Dr Spank at February 22, 2015 09:33 PM (TJCSB)

341 All I remember is about a year ago seeing his mug shot after he got arrested in AZ for DUI.


He looked really really bad.

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 09:33 PM (0FSuD)

342 >>We're watching... you.

Heh.

So....another cannibal community? I haven't read the graphic novels.

Posted by: Lizzy at February 22, 2015 09:33 PM (lHHyw)

343 335 328: Glen kinda partied the 70's away like a lot of people. Not sure if Alzheimer's has anything to do with that or not.
Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at February

My Mom had it. She wasn't a party animal.

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at February 22, 2015 09:33 PM (hcfn1)

344 Awards shows do good ratings. That's why there are so many. And the Oscars do the best of all awards shows.

Posted by: Costanza Defense at February 22, 2015 09:32 PM (ZPrif)

The 52% LIVs. Not surprised

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 09:34 PM (0FSuD)

345 Posted by: DangerGirl and her 1.21 gigawatt Sanity Prod (tm) at February 22, 2015 09:22 PM (KuU4f)

Costco has excellent oxtails for a reasonable price....

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 22, 2015 09:34 PM (Zu3d9)

346 341 All I remember is about a year ago seeing his mug shot after he got arrested in AZ for DUI.


He looked really really bad.
Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22

Think you're off Nip,

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at February 22, 2015 09:35 PM (hcfn1)

347 All I remember is about a year ago seeing his mug shot after he got arrested in AZ for DUI.


He looked really really bad.


Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 09:33 PM (0FSuD)


Maybe you're thinking of Randy Travis.

Posted by: DangerGirl and her 1.21 gigawatt Sanity Prod (tm) at February 22, 2015 09:35 PM (KuU4f)

348 341, if you're talking about Campbell, I doubt it was a year ago. He was diagnosed 4 years ago and has been under close supervision since then.

Posted by: Mr. Natural at February 22, 2015 09:35 PM (/pOl7)

349 Costco has excellent oxtails for a reasonable price....


Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 22, 2015 09:34 PM (Zu3d9)


Yes, but you don't get deliciously lovely wonderful cubes of luscious, melty beef.

Posted by: DangerGirl and her 1.21 gigawatt Sanity Prod (tm) at February 22, 2015 09:36 PM (KuU4f)

350 Ugh - checking the Oscars now....

Posted by: Lizzy at February 22, 2015 09:36 PM (lHHyw)

351 I'm watching the Walking Dead.

Well, I guess we know now why the new guy was so clean and well put together...

Posted by: All Hail Eris at February 22, 2015 09:36 PM (KH1sk)

352 I'm figuring that if American Sniper wins anything, the Hollywood commies will be watching to see who in the audience jumps up and applauds.

Sort of the inverse of Stalin in the 1930s, when the apparatchiks were afraid to be seen as the first to stop applauding.

Posted by: rickl at February 22, 2015 09:36 PM (sdi6R)

353 Tonight, as of this minute, I quit watching Walking Dead. Done. Over.

Posted by: Eromero at February 22, 2015 09:36 PM (go5uR)

354 343: My mom too. She was definitely not a party animal. I think if drinking and drugs and partying is bad, Keith Richards is really due for something bad to happen.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at February 22, 2015 09:37 PM (ucDmr)

355 I used to like to watch them arrive at the Oscars so I could see all the gowns, but there came a time when it became more about the shock factor than elegance and then when they started to do entire shows from the Red Carpet, it seemed too...trendy or something. Everything has to be such a damned THING now.

I occasionally tried to remember to watch the Joan Rivres show that came on a few days (?) later where they went in depth with what everyone had worn, and I kind of liked that, but I seldom remembered. I think I saw it twice.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 09:37 PM (37e3g)

356 Posted by: Eromero at February 22, 2015 09:36 PM (go5uR)
---
Just roll with it.

Posted by: All Hail Eris at February 22, 2015 09:38 PM (KH1sk)

357 Posted by: Eromero at February 22, 2015 09:36 PM (go5uR)

Don't tell me Daryl died?

Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 09:38 PM (R5HRU)

358 Don't tell me Daryl died?
Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 09:38 PM (R5HRU)


The other brother Darryl.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot Jr. at February 22, 2015 09:39 PM (W5DcG)

359 Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 09:38 PM (R5HRU)
---
Nope. First guy-on-guy kiss. Not Daryl.

Posted by: All Hail Eris at February 22, 2015 09:39 PM (KH1sk)

360 Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 09:37 PM (37e3g)

It used to be glamorous, but now?

Shock factor indeed!

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 22, 2015 09:39 PM (Zu3d9)

361 357 Posted by: Eromero at February 22, 2015 09:36 PM (go5uR)

Don't tell me Daryl died?
Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 09:38 PM (R5HRU)

No, he didn't.

Posted by: Insomniac at February 22, 2015 09:39 PM (mx5oN)

362 American Sniper won for sound editing

Posted by: Kreplach at February 22, 2015 09:39 PM (DDFkt)

363 American Sniper won best sound editing. So there's one.

Posted by: Mr. Natural at February 22, 2015 09:40 PM (/pOl7)

364 WTG American Sniper for an award. Now, lets get some more.

Posted by: DangerGirl and her 1.21 gigawatt Sanity Prod (tm) at February 22, 2015 09:40 PM (KuU4f)

365 Glen Campbell mug shot.



http://tinyurl.com/2ffxutg

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 09:40 PM (0FSuD)

366 Campbell's arrest was 2003. He's never been known to be a great man, or even a good man. I hope he got right with God in the last 10 years, but having Alzheimers doesn't make one a saint.

Posted by: Sorry, but at February 22, 2015 09:40 PM (yxw0r)

367 Just homo shit. Unnecessary but it was pretty obvious the dude was gay from the get go.

Posted by: Insomniac at February 22, 2015 09:40 PM (mx5oN)

368 Tammy - Check out http://www.gofugyourself.com/ tomorrow.

Pics of most of the dresses and funny commentary. They're *mostly* non-political, but there's the typical PC fawning over people like Laverne Cox (which can easily be ignored).

Posted by: Lizzy at February 22, 2015 09:40 PM (lHHyw)

369 American Sniper won for sound editing

Posted by: Kreplach at February 22, 2015 09:39 PM


Well, they had to give it something.

Posted by: otho at February 22, 2015 09:40 PM (tBSrv)

370 So, TWD has now appeased less than 2% of the population. Meh. There is still 10 minutes left. Plenty of time yet to slaughter somebody needlessly.

Posted by: puddleglum at February 22, 2015 09:40 PM (20X6f)

371 354 343: My mom too. She was definitely not a party animal. I think if drinking and drugs and partying is bad, Keith Richards is really due for something bad to happen.
Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at February 22, 2015 09:37 PM (ucDmr)

He's a piece of shoe leather

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at February 22, 2015 09:40 PM (hcfn1)

372 Posted by: All Hail Eris at February 22, 2015 09:39 PM (KH1sk)

Hah, really.

Oh well. I HAVE to assume it was in the comics, they've been somewhat faithful to them.

Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 09:41 PM (R5HRU)

373 having Alzheimers doesn't make one a saint.

Posted by: Sorry, but at February 22, 2015 09:40 PM (yxw0r)

No....but it shouldn't make one an object of derision either.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 22, 2015 09:41 PM (Zu3d9)

374 Don't forget to use one square only

Posted by: Sheryl Crow at February 22, 2015 09:42 PM (pIhxB)

375 It used to be glamorous, but now?

Shock factor indeed!
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 22, 2015 09:39 PM (Zu3d9)


Right??? It's so sad. There can't be any thing beautiful and lovely any more, it has to be all edgy and shocking and needlessly titillating.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 09:42 PM (37e3g)

376 All Hail Eris @ 356- Roll with it? ROLL WITH IT?
Why? Why should I have to roll with it? Narwals swimming in the ocean don't mean I have to swim in that ocean. No sir.

Posted by: Eromero at February 22, 2015 09:42 PM (go5uR)

377 371: A barely functioning piece of shoe leather.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at February 22, 2015 09:42 PM (ucDmr)

378 2003 is a little more than a year ago. I know it's not a math blog

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at February 22, 2015 09:42 PM (hcfn1)

379 They can't kill Daryl. Really.

Posted by: Lizzy at February 22, 2015 09:43 PM (lHHyw)

380 Yeah I thought it was more recent, but when you're old recent is relative.

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 09:43 PM (0FSuD)

381 It's now The Walking Faygelehs, I guess.

Posted by: Insomniac at February 22, 2015 09:43 PM (mx5oN)

382 Posted by: Lizzy at February 22, 2015 09:40 PM (lHHyw)


THANK YOU!

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 09:43 PM (37e3g)

383 Right??? It's so sad. There can't be any thing beautiful and lovely any more, it has to be all edgy and shocking and needlessly titillating.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 09:42 PM

heheheh eh heheh... you said "tit"... heheheheh

Posted by: beavis at February 22, 2015 09:43 PM (tBSrv)

384 Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 09:42 PM (37e3g)

I'll bet there is a significant correlation between outrageous dress and dysfunctional personality.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 22, 2015 09:43 PM (Zu3d9)

385 379 They can't kill Daryl. Really.
Posted by: Lizzy at February 22, 2015 09:43 PM (lHHyw)

They'd lose massive amounts of viewers immediately.

Posted by: Insomniac at February 22, 2015 09:44 PM (mx5oN)

386 If you ever get a chance watch some Anime on Baseball, Major is really good about a kid that makes it to the Majors, he could have went to the Jap league but took the harder road in the US.

Posted by: Patrick From Ohio at February 22, 2015 09:44 PM (b6koZ)

387 I think Campbell really turned his life around in later years, due in large part to the influence of his wife. She's quite the lady.

Posted by: Mr. Natural at February 22, 2015 09:45 PM (/pOl7)

388 Well Alabama won for boyhood.

Posted by: Kreplach at February 22, 2015 09:45 PM (DDFkt)

389 American Sniper won for sound editing

Yeah, all those other films had sucky sound editing so I hated them. What the hell is Oscar-worthy sound editing?

Posted by: t-bird at February 22, 2015 09:45 PM (FcR7P)

390 No....but it shouldn't make one an object of derision either.


Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 22, 2015 09:41 PM (Zu3d9)

All I did was ask if he was a drunk, that's not derisive. It's a question, the answer was yes he was a drunk. My memory was not incorrect only the time he was a drunk and you will note in my post I said "I think it was a year ago"
Not that it was a year ago. Lighten up here, he looks awful in that pic.

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 09:46 PM (0FSuD)

391 Right??? It's so sad. There can't be any thing beautiful and lovely any more, it has to be all edgy and shocking and needlessly titillating.
Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 09:42 PM (37e3g)

That's my big complaint with contemporary art. Do you have to know how to actually draw anything? No, if a guy takes a picture of his dick or spray paints "Free Palestine!" or some such shit on a wall, he's an artist.

Posted by: Donna &&&&&& V. (brandishing ampersands) at February 22, 2015 09:46 PM (+XMAD)

392 Oh for god's sake Arquette.

Posted by: DangerGirl and her 1.21 gigawatt Sanity Prod (tm) at February 22, 2015 09:46 PM (KuU4f)

393 Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 22, 2015 09:43 PM (Zu3d9)

No doubt.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 09:46 PM (37e3g)

394
389 American Sniper won for sound editing

Yeah, all those other films had sucky sound editing so I hated them. What the hell is Oscar-worthy sound editing?
Posted by: t-bird at February 22, 2015 09:45 PM (FcR7P)

It's a bone.

Did you hear anything? Dialog? Gun shots?

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at February 22, 2015 09:46 PM (hcfn1)

395 So we have another TWO hours of these Oscars. Damn I am getting a woody just thinking about it.


NOT

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 09:47 PM (0FSuD)

396 @394

I agree it a bone, they are going to give best picture to some other flick.

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 09:48 PM (0FSuD)

397 Lighten up here, he looks awful in that pic.

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 09:46 PM (0FSuD)

1. I wasn't referring to your comment.

2. Since you want to push it...watch your race-baiting.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 22, 2015 09:48 PM (Zu3d9)

398 Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 09:47 PM (0FSuD)

You need a little blue pill Old Timerv

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at February 22, 2015 09:48 PM (hcfn1)

399 If you like beef n barley, look up Barefoot Contessa's soup recipe. Though, she calls for oxtails, I cut up a chuck roast and used that instead and added mushrooms and it came out wonderfully.

Posted by: DangerGirl and her 1.21 gigawatt Sanity Prod (tm) at February 22, 2015 09:22 PM (KuU4f)


Recently I made a bean and spinach soup, and threw in a leftover ham bone. The results were very good, even better than the last time when I just added the ham. Although you get a lot of collagen out of a chuck roast, the additional richness and thickness that will come from the marrow of an actual oxtail or two is worth the extra effort. You may have already experimented with this, but if not I'd give it a try.


Posted by: CQD at February 22, 2015 09:48 PM (2dzsA)

400 Yeah, all those other films had sucky sound editing so I hated them. What the hell is Oscar-worthy sound editing?

Something that doesn't give you a headache, I guess. So Interstellar was out.

Posted by: boulder terlit hobo is still angry at Christopher Nolan at February 22, 2015 09:48 PM (AVEe1)

401 2. Since you want to push it...watch your race-baiting.




Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at February 22, 2015 09:48 PM (Zu3d9)

Did I call Campbell black? WTF?

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 09:48 PM (0FSuD)

402 Not to take anything away from Glen Campbell, but let's remember the original version of his biggest hit, from the great John Hartford:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbZHIoaapmE

Posted by: rickl at February 22, 2015 09:49 PM (sdi6R)

403 You need a little Big blue pill Old Timerv

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at February 22, 2015 09:48 PM (hcfn1)

FIFY

Posted by: Nip Sip at February 22, 2015 09:49 PM (0FSuD)

404 Recently I made a bean and spinach soup, and threw
in a leftover ham bone. The results were very good, even better than the
last time when I just added the ham. Although you get a lot of collagen
out of a chuck roast, the additional richness and thickness that will
come from the marrow of an actual oxtail or two is worth the extra
effort. You may have already experimented with this, but if not I'd give
it a try.




Posted by: CQD at February 22, 2015 09:48 PM (2dzsA)


I have made it with beef bones before (and adding beef stew meet) and they may have made this soup better, but holy heck it was pretty freaking good. Homemade beef stock makes a huge difference.

Posted by: DangerGirl and her 1.21 gigawatt Sanity Prod (tm) at February 22, 2015 09:50 PM (KuU4f)

405 Meet? I meant meat. I need another drink perhaps?

Posted by: DangerGirl and her 1.21 gigawatt Sanity Prod (tm) at February 22, 2015 09:51 PM (KuU4f)

406 Posted by: Donna &&&&&& V. (brandishing ampersands) at February 22, 2015 09:46 PM (+XMAD)


THIS! I mean, I freely admit, I am not an art person by any stretch of the imagination on any level, and I think a lot of extremely artistic people are a little whacked anyway, but some of this bullshit is just straight up psychosis.

I mean, the chick who "paints" with her menstrual blood as it is literally dripping from her? How is she not under a 5150 lock up?

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 09:51 PM (37e3g)

407
heheheh eh heheh...

Posted by: beavis at February 22, 2015 09:52 PM (tBSrv)

408 Ooh - Act of Valor on CBS!
Someone mentioned that this a.m.

Posted by: Lizzy at February 22, 2015 09:52 PM (lHHyw)

409 Posted by: DangerGirl and her 1.21 gigawatt Sanity Prod (tm) at February 22, 2015 09:51 PM (KuU4f)

Come on now, girlfriend, remember where you are.....another drink is not just needed, it's MANDATORY!!

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 09:54 PM (37e3g)

410 Posted by: beavis at February 22, 2015 09:52 PM (tBSrv)

At least YOU are funny!

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 09:54 PM (37e3g)

411 Glass. And I am no damned good at it.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 09:58 PM (37e3g)

412 Come on now, girlfriend, remember where you are.....another drink is not just needed, it's MANDATORY!!

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 09:54 PM (37e3g)


Considering that and the fact that there is supposed to be ice on the ground on the morning, you're probably right. Although if it doesn't ice over, I'm going to be in huge trouble.

Posted by: DangerGirl and her 1.21 gigawatt Sanity Prod (tm) at February 22, 2015 09:58 PM (KuU4f)

413 I have made it with beef bones before (and adding beef stew meet) and they may have made this soup better, but holy heck it was pretty freaking good. Homemade beef stock makes a huge difference.

Posted by: DangerGirl and her 1.21 gigawatt Sanity Prod (tm) at February 22, 2015 09:50 PM (KuU4f)


Agreed. I always use chuck roast in place of stew meat (at least the stuff that they cut up and sell as stew meat at the market), because it stands up much better to stewing/braising and does not dry out.

What cuts do you use to make your beef stock, by the way? I'm always looking for new (in reality, I mean less expensive) alternatives.

Great soups, together with frittatas, are on the short list of dish categories that I wonder why I don't make more, because they're always so darned good when I get organized and make one.

Posted by: CQD at February 22, 2015 09:59 PM (2dzsA)

414 Where's the gum thread?

Posted by: Toothless Geezer at February 22, 2015 10:00 PM (R1Htd)

415 >> from the great John Hartford:

Wow, I never had heard that.
Thanks.

Posted by: Gentlemen, This is democracy manifest at February 22, 2015 10:02 PM (LWu6U)

416 DG & ice good deal

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian, stealin when I should've been buying at February 22, 2015 10:02 PM (hcfn1)

417 Posted by: CQD at February 22, 2015 09:59 PM (2dzsA)


Here, they tend to put beef ribs on sale on occasion for like $1.99/lb. I'll grab those with some veg and roast them. Then in the soup itself, I'll cut up a chuck roast (2-3 buck a pound on sale) and that gives nice flavor. If you don't have homemade, I've found that Swanson's beef stock in the paper box (not the broth, the stock) can make a decent sub if you put plenty of veg in your soup.

Posted by: DangerGirl and her 1.21 gigawatt Sanity Prod (tm) at February 22, 2015 10:03 PM (KuU4f)

418 glass slide or brass slide ?

Posted by: boiling frog at February 22, 2015 09:55 PM

Brass. Heavy guage. Can't use the glass ones. Can use steel in a pinch, but brass is preferred.

Posted by: otho at February 22, 2015 10:03 PM (tBSrv)

419 Oh and also, here if you go to a Mexican meat market, you can find beef neck bones at a good price as well, which make great beef stock if you roast them.

Posted by: DangerGirl and her 1.21 gigawatt Sanity Prod (tm) at February 22, 2015 10:04 PM (KuU4f)

420 My young niece now is out of the house and living on her own. She was never interested in cooking but now she's getting sick of frozen pizzas and prepared foods.

I told her to start with soups - you can double the recipes easily and freeze portions, you don't have to stick to a rigid recipe, and once you get everything in the pot, your work is usually done. You can let it simmer and make the place smell heavenly.

But I made soups for years before I made homemade stock instead of using canned broth. Goodness, does that make a difference.

Posted by: Donna &&&&&& V. (brandishing ampersands) at February 22, 2015 10:06 PM (+XMAD)

421 Donna - I too am sick of 'za and pre-prepped food which is why I've slowly started to branch out into cooking very very simple meals. I'm trying to get my nerve up to cooking more elaborate meals.

Tryna become a well rounded man. Since I think I'd like to marry this girl I'm with.

Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 10:07 PM (R5HRU)

422 Shallots/onions, peppers and ground beef makes an easy meal coupled with pasta or whatever your flavor is.

Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 10:08 PM (R5HRU)

423 Look at you with your shallots. All fancypants and shit.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 10:10 PM (37e3g)

424 Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 10:10 PM (37e3g)


*puffs chest out*

I put them in my homemade - read: borrowed idea from the internet - guacamole.

Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 10:11 PM (R5HRU)

425 I love soup and I love to make soup and I can eat soup for every meal. Had sausage and zucchini soup for breakfast Friday morning, as a matter of fact.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 10:12 PM (37e3g)

426 Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 10:07 PM (R5HRU)

A man who cooks is always appreciated!

Yeah, stick to the simple stuff for a while - soups, roast chicken, baked fish, tomato sauces....I got too ambitious too early and tried to make elaborate meals and just ended up ruining food.

Posted by: Donna &&&&&& V. (brandishing ampersands) at February 22, 2015 10:12 PM (+XMAD)

427 Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 10:11 PM (R5HRU)

Are you sure this lady deserves you??

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 10:13 PM (37e3g)

428 LOL Roast chicken and baked fish is simple?

Hell I'm geeked I buy the pre-prepped frozen chicken breasts and cook them things in the oven.

Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 10:13 PM (R5HRU)

429 Just bought a couple of 33 round Glock 9mm mags in prep for a future carbine purchase that uses the Glock mags. There are a few out there but hard to find. Kel-tec 2000 sub is the one I'm looking for but most are already allocated.

Posted by: Bob Belcher at February 22, 2015 10:13 PM (BBBoi)

430 Home made yogurt.
Probiotic.

Organic, contains no chemicals. All natural bacteria

Posted by: Juston Leesun at February 22, 2015 10:14 PM (X+yHO)

431 just ended up ruining food.
Posted by: Donna &&&&&& V. (brandishing ampersands) at February 22, 2015 10:12 PM (+XMAD)


Oh I don't believe you ruined anything!

But I do know that when I try and get too elaborate, and I am SICK of looking at the food by the time I'm done and end up making myself a sammie .

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 10:15 PM (37e3g)

432 One problem with getting American inner city kids interested in baseball is that it doesn't offer the instant college-to-NBA or NFL stardom with a rap album that the NBA or NFL does. The NBA also sells the "gangsta" image that appeals to them.

Posted by: kbdabear at February 22, 2015 10:15 PM (GrXXa)

433 Sure wish willow' show up so,we can have the ONT.

:-)

Posted by: speedster1 on the (new) ipad at February 22, 2015 10:15 PM (1brdf)

434 Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 10:13 PM (37e3g)


Well considering my family business for all intents and purposes has shut down so I'm making about 30% less than I was - which wasn't much to begin with - and she still has my back and supports me while I look for a part time job, or full time if the job is right, yeah I'd say I think she does. I'm not 100% certain but I'm getting closer for sure.

Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 10:15 PM (R5HRU)

435 Has that guy who drank a bottle of tabasco come back yet?

Posted by: t-bird at February 22, 2015 10:15 PM (FcR7P)

436 I love soup and stews too. Made a pork and hominy stew with ancho chili powder, paprika, and cumin the other day. Easy and tasty.

Posted by: Donna &&&&&& V. (brandishing ampersands) at February 22, 2015 10:16 PM (+XMAD)

437 Posted by: Donna V. (brandishing ampersands) at February 22, 2015 10:06 PM (+XMAD)

As a single guy, I'd like to recommend your niece also tries plenty of fruit and vegetables. She should also get a good rice cooker. You can make a huge amount, cut up a few vegetables on top of a plate of rice, microwave it and you have easy meals for days.


There was something called a Turbo Cooker I bought which was also great - large but great. Toss water into the bottom, you can put frozen fish on top, and it steams it to perfection in about 20 minutes.



Posted by: Stateless Infidel at February 22, 2015 10:16 PM (AC0lD)

438 Here, they tend to put beef ribs on sale on occasion for like $1.99/lb. I'll grab those with some veg and roast them. Then in the soup itself, I'll cut up a chuck roast (2-3 buck a pound on sale) and that gives nice flavor.

Posted by: DangerGirl and her 1.21 gigawatt Sanity Prod (tm) at February 22, 2015 10:03 PM (KuU4f)


I should have known that, but sometimes it takes someone else telling me before I connect the dots. I see beef ribs on sale all the time, but always think to myself "I don't have any ideas for that". Next time that happens, I'm picking up a pack (or two) just to make beef stock. This is one of those times I'm glad I have a big stand-alone freezer.

Heck, when turkeys are on sale I buy extras for pretty much that reason. Although in that case it's roasting first, and then stock for soups. Ribollita, in particular, benefits from a turkey stock base (even though the Italians haven't invented turkey yet).

Posted by: CQD at February 22, 2015 10:17 PM (2dzsA)

439 Posted by: kbdabear at February 22, 2015 10:15 PM (GrXXa)

Maybe in the 90's you had a point, but that's largely not true anymore. The NBA went to great lengths to change it's image.

Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 10:17 PM (R5HRU)

440 Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 10:13 PM (R5HRU)

Which is why you need to stick with soup for awhile.

You can make soup out of any damn thing.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 10:18 PM (37e3g)

441 I loved art when I studied the Renaissance. I always loved how hard they tried to attempt both reality as well as idealization of form. Along with movement and meaning. No one can look at Caravaggio, Michelangelo, or Rembrandt and not realize that these men were touched by genius.

What I always thought was that most modern artists look at the old masters' work, realize they have no hope in hell of ever even coming close to that level of talent, so they turn their noses up at it and then decide to do something more at their talent level, like spatter paint on a canvas and then roll condoms in it or whatever the current mode is these days.

It is sad that the newest piece of "Art" that I liked was that picture the guy snapped of the fistfight in the Ukrainian parliament.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 22, 2015 10:19 PM (wt/Oq)

442 There are some basic rules about cooking that serve you well when you start:
Never leave a burner or a pan untended, no matter what.
Never cook on high unless you are right on top of it
always brown meat before putting it in a stew or a crock-pot
depend on your memory for making rice, and doing mechanical things like making scrambled eggs, use written instructions for everything else.

I love poached eggs, but everytime I make them they come out egg-drop soup. Very sad.

Today I braised them in oil and water: 2 tablespoons of water and a splash of oil in a pan, bring it to a boil, crack two eggs in, cover and allow to cook covered at a low simmer for a minute, baste a little with the hot water, cover back up and allow to steam. Poached eggs in under 2 minutes, so you better have your toast ready and buttered.
Eggs are supposed to be wonderful poached in milk, but I never tried.

Posted by: Kindltot at February 22, 2015 10:19 PM (t//F+)

443 Roast chicken isn't difficult. You just have to make sure it's cooked all the way through, since blood in chicken is pretty disgusting. And baking fish filets is pretty easy as long as you keep a eye on them and don't let them overcook and become dry.

Posted by: Donna &&&&&& V. (brandishing ampersands) at February 22, 2015 10:20 PM (+XMAD)

444 The late Hoyt Axton and John Hartford

The Yellow Rose of Texas


http://tinyurl.com/m5adexm






Posted by: Bossy Conservative....in the bleak midwinter at February 22, 2015 10:21 PM (+1T7c)

445 Just bought a couple of 33 round Glock 9mm mags in prep for a future carbine purchase that uses the Glock mags. There are a few out there but hard to find. Kel-tec 2000 sub is the one I'm looking for but most are already allocated.

Posted by: Bob Belcher at February 22, 2015 10:13 PM (BBBoi)


Well, I know you're thinking, did he fire 32 rounds or 33, and to tell you in all the excitement I kind of lost track myself, so you need to ask yourself...do I feel lucky? Well, do ya?

Posted by: CQD at February 22, 2015 10:21 PM (2dzsA)

446 Chicken, pork and seafood scare me. I'm scared of under cooking it and killing everyone.

Beef doesn't worry me because I've had steak tar tar which is essentially raw.

Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 10:22 PM (R5HRU)

447 Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 10:15 PM (R5HRU)

That is all fine and well, it truly is, but you can make guacamole. Don't sell yourself cheap!

You know I am just joshin' and wish you much joy. I love weddings and am a big proponent of gettin' hitched.

My inlaws are shutting down ther construction company, too, or at least cutting back to where my BIL is a one man operation.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 10:22 PM (37e3g)

448 Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 10:22 PM (R5HRU)


Ceviche. You should Google it.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 10:24 PM (37e3g)

449 "Well, do ya?"



I gots to know. I gots to.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at February 22, 2015 10:24 PM (4j4+f)

450 "always brown meat before putting it in a stew or a crock-pot"

Yes, you don't want gray meat!

However, is it just me, or does anybody else find that that crock pot meals taste a bit - flat? I love the convenience of the crock pot, but it seems like nothing I make in it ever tastes as good as stuff cooked in the oven or on the stovetop.

Posted by: Donna &&&&&& V. (brandishing ampersands) at February 22, 2015 10:25 PM (+XMAD)

451 Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 10:22 PM (37e3g)

Haha, I know you are I appreciate it.

Sorry to hear about your in-laws business. Shits tough out here Tammy. This economic climate absolutely blows.

If you ain't big business, you're fucked.

Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 10:25 PM (R5HRU)

452 I want my...

I want my...

I want my O N T

Posted by: Dire Hats at February 22, 2015 10:26 PM (0Ew3K)

453 Yeah, I finally made homemade guacamole for the first time for a part and OMG why have I not been doing this for decades?

I love finding new recipes, though I lean more toward baking over cooking, and also, simplicity. So I like having a bunch of proven winner recipes when I just want a good meal without a big production. Roast chicken definitely, and also meatloaf, lasagna, several kinds of pancakes (never use mix), etc.

Posted by: Lizzy at February 22, 2015 10:26 PM (lHHyw)

454 Do y'all eat Mexican food up north, halfrican?

That's a good cuisine to start with getting your feet wet learning to cook.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 10:26 PM (37e3g)

455 454 Hat

Got your wish...

Posted by: speedster1 on the (new) ipad at February 22, 2015 10:27 PM (1brdf)

456 However, is it just me, or does anybody else find that that crock pot meals taste a bit - flat? I love the convenience of the crock pot, but it seems like nothing I make in it ever tastes as good as stuff cooked in the oven or on the stovetop.
Posted by: Donna &&&&&& V. (brandishing ampersands) at February

Pork loin,& sauerkraut in a slow cooker rocks

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian, stealin when I should've been buying at February 22, 2015 10:27 PM (hcfn1)

457 446 The late Hoyt Axton and John Hartford

The Yellow Rose of Texas


http://tinyurl.com/m5adexm






Posted by: Bossy Conservative....in the bleak midwinter at February 22, 2015 10:21 PM (+1T7c)



Hey, wait...that's MY song.

Posted by: Emily Dickinson at February 22, 2015 10:27 PM (yxw0r)

458 453: If you weren't a big Obama donor, you are screwed. Pay to play baby. Shovel ready my ass.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at February 22, 2015 10:28 PM (ucDmr)

459 I put my cell phone on my nightstand so I don't even have to get out of bed to text my boss in the morning. I am a loooooser lol.

Posted by: DangerGirl and her 1.21 gigawatt Sanity Prod (tm) at February 22, 2015 10:29 PM (KuU4f)

460 427 Had sausage and zucchini soup for breakfast Friday morning, as a matter of fact.
Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 10:12 PM (37e3g)


Interesting.....

Posted by: Sigmund Freud at February 22, 2015 10:30 PM (yxw0r)

461 Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 10:26 PM (37e3g)

Yeah we do. I'll def look into it too.

Ceviche seems interesting.

Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 10:31 PM (R5HRU)

462 443 I loved art when I studied the Renaissance. I always loved how hard they tried to attempt both reality as well as idealization of form. Along with movement and meaning. No one can look at Caravaggio, Michelangelo, or Rembrandt and not realize that these men were touched by genius.

What I always thought was that most modern artists look at the old masters' work, realize they have no hope in hell of ever even coming close to that level of talent, so they turn their noses up at it and then decide to do something more at their talent level, like spatter paint on a canvas and then roll condoms in it or whatever the current mode is these days.

It is sad that the newest piece of "Art" that I liked was that picture the guy snapped of the fistfight in the Ukrainian parliament.
Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 22, 2015 10:19 PM (wt/Oq)
I saw how one artist would take old books and cut them into Sculptures, his work was incredible. Google BOOKS AS LANDSCAPES

Posted by: Patrick From Ohio at February 22, 2015 10:32 PM (b6koZ)

463 Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 10:22 PM (R5HRU)

Get a meat thermometer so you can see what the internal temp of pork is. If you jab the leg of the chicken with a knife and the juice runs clear, it's done, since the legs take the longest to cook.

Cooking time for fish: 10 minutes for every inch of thickness, measured at the thickest part.

Posted by: Donna &&&&&& V. (brandishing ampersands) at February 22, 2015 10:33 PM (+XMAD)

464 Tammy - time to move onto the ONT dear.

Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 10:33 PM (R5HRU)

465 Donna thank you.

Posted by: thathalfrican at February 22, 2015 10:35 PM (R5HRU)

466 Try stew meat, pearl barley and root vegetables. It is a fantastic crock-pot meal. You can thicken it a bit with some flour but I don't. Old parsnips come into their own in this dish.
You can make the flavor more complex with cracked wheat or oatmeal, but it takes longer to cook right.

You can also slow-cook beans and split peas and carrots and broth to make a killer bean soup.

Other things like soups and stews and roasts and pseudo-pulled pork I use a pressure cooker for. Don't cook wheat or barley in the pressure cooker it tends to foam.

Posted by: Kindltot at February 22, 2015 10:38 PM (t//F+)

467 However, is it just me, or does anybody else find that that crock pot meals taste a bit - flat?
Posted by: Donna &&&&&& V. (brandishing ampersands) at February 22, 2015 10:25 PM (+XMAD)


Amen. sister. The flavors all kind of run together, especially is you have onions in it. I get a similar effect from microwaving leftovers.

I like to use it for one thing like Chipotle chicken, or some other meat, which I in turn then use in something else.

Although Thor does love pork roast in the crockpot. I just put onions and carrots in it, no onion, though.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 10:39 PM (37e3g)

468 However, is it just me, or does anybody else find that that crock pot meals taste a bit - flat?
Posted by: Donna &&&&&& V. (brandishing ampersands) at February 22, 2015 10:25 PM (+XMAD)


Amen. sister. The flavors all kind of run together, especially is you have onions in it. I get a similar effect from microwaving leftovers.

I like to use it for one thing like Chipotle chicken, or some other meat, which I in turn then use in something else.

Although Thor does love pork roast in the crockpot. I just put onions and carrots in it, no onion, though.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at February 22, 2015 10:39 PM (37e3g)

469 I gots to know. I gots to.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at February 22, 2015 10:24 PM (4j4+f)


Heh. I think that guy was in four Dirty Harry movies.

Posted by: CQD at February 22, 2015 10:42 PM (2dzsA)

470 I've been to a couple professional baseball turnouts. Each year a bunch of scouts get together and have a free invite in our region. It's the best way to get noticed if you're from a small school or town. I don't know, it seems the competition was too tough for me, lots of former minor leaguers still try out at those, but still.

I've been on both sides of the fences at those, held some business cards from scouts, but out of the 2-300 players that show up, it seems only 4 or 5 shine.

One time a friend who played with Bo Jackson in Memphis was back trying out, a pitcher, and he told the hitter he was crowding the plate, the kid didn't do anything, he pitched right at his head. Then did it again .... then the kid backed off. That's the difference, my friend played AA ball, and that kid wasn't anywhere near ready for the minors just the presence was the 'it' factor for him to be noticed. Of course back then it didn't hurt to throw 89 on the gun the whole time.

Posted by: doug at February 22, 2015 11:18 PM (IYEs/)

471 Thought Mone' Davis's team from Philly was mostly black - weren't those kids hurt by Chicago cheating as well?? Funny how the lib media doesn't bring that up.

Posted by: robschr at February 22, 2015 11:38 PM (esPeP)

472 sports thread with no elbows????

Posted by: Vic at February 23, 2015 03:14 AM (wlDny)

473 sock off

Posted by: Vic at February 23, 2015 07:31 AM (wlDny)

474 When I was a kid we played ball and all we had were bats and a ball and gloves. Note that I said "a ball", not "balls". About 3 kids owned a bat each. About 1/2 the kids owned gloves, so if you owned one, when you weren't in the field you loaned it to a kid on the other team.

Also note that I said "field", not "diamond". As in "the field my neighbor across the street owned." Home plate and first base were rocks that were mostly buried under the ground but had a flat spot that was at ground level. Second and third base was someone's coat. It got pretty interesting sliding into home.

All age levels played. When I was a sixth grader I was facing fastballs from a high-school kid - with not 100% control .... No helmets, no mouth guards, no cleats, etc., etc. For that matter, no coaches and no parents. We decided where we played, when we played, who was on what team, and if there was a dispute over a call we settled it, we didn't have some adult telling us what to do. A game for poor kids. But we learned.

Posted by: RonF at February 23, 2015 10:45 AM (l8nW6)

475 Now things are different. If I let kids play on property I own and some kid gets hurt, mommy's going to sue my ass - which our parents would never have dreamed of doing. And they'll get money, regardless of the circumstances. And while my local park district has absolutely wonderful diamonds, my kids couldn't play on them either, unless it was in a league, for the same reason - liability.

So now the kids get taught how to play ball, but they don't learn how to organize a bunch of their buddies to play a game, make decisions on what has to be done and who's going to do it, resolve disputes, etc. etc. All they know how to do is to do what mommy or the coach tells them to do. And it shows. When I was a Boy Scout the Panther Patrol would go off in a corner and bang out the menus and the duty roster for a campout in 10 minutes. Now the kids can't do it in 1/2 an hour because they just don't have the experience. I can tell them what to do - but they can't do it themselves, even after I try to teach them. And the parents are surprised that I expect them to!

Posted by: RonF at February 23, 2015 10:51 AM (l8nW6)

476 I had two kids go through youth sports all the way from first grade through their senior year in college. Both played a college sport and were starters - my daughter in D3 softball and my son in a D1 lacrosse club. And here's what I've learned:

A 12-year old kid will not be discovered playing baseball in Little League. He'll get discovered in high school, it's true.

BUT

When they get to H.S., the kid who's been playing travelling team since he's been 12 is going to wipe the field with the kid who's only played ball recreationally or in Phys. Ed. THAT'S what's making baseball a "rich kid" (really, middle class) sport.

Posted by: RonF at February 23, 2015 11:16 AM (l8nW6)

477 Spikes? Hahahahahahahahahaha! I didn't play baseball (my fingertips bled from incessant basketball playing), but my friends all did. And when they weren't playing in organized leagues or for school, they played in the big, sandy lot next to Longfellow School. Stones, sand, dirt, rocks, no trees and asphalt "warning track" (the parking lot)-- total cost to play? Hardly anything at all. Everybody had a coupla bats in the garage, everybody got a glove for Christmas, balls were inexpensive. Play ball! I wish I had participated, though.

Posted by: brian mckim at February 23, 2015 11:22 AM (32N+1)

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