hogan873

It really is becoming that time when we start thinking about 2011.

I'm not saying the game is over, but a loss today means the best they can be come Friday is 5 back. Not looking good, kids.

This team is almost impossible to watch sometimes. Outstanding defense early is being wasted by less than stellar defense now and a lack of hitting!

Is this the game Manny finally shows some power? Or maybe he watches another HR from the on-deck circle. Either way, I'll take it.

QUOTE (11and1 @ Sep 14, 2010 -> 01:53 PM) So that me makes me lazy as well. Perhaps. But considering that I was unaware of the exisitence of much of the data you are citing, that may indeed be a bit harsh. And where in my post do I ask anyone to do anything for me? You disagree with my theory, you choose to spend your time and utilize your familiarity with databases unknown to me, more power to you. And I certainly appreciate the info. But I certainly wasn't taunting you or anybody else, just posting a theory that seemed logical to my statistically challenged mind. I'm just a Sox fan with fewer than 100 posts on the forum. I've read thousands of posts on hundreds of threads that were discussing theories not supported by what I'm sure were available stats. Neither the OP or the participants were called out for not doing so. I DID take the time to read the guidelines, where there is no mention of requiring hard facts when posting thoughts and/or theories. Is there a supplementary set of guidelines I should be aware of that contains this provision? I enjoy this site but always wonder why people here get so chippy sometimes. Seems to me Sox fans get enough grief everywhere else in this town. Can't understand why it happens here. That has always struck me as characteristic of the "other" team's fans. And I go out of my way to avoid getting in any way personal in my posts, no matter how uninformed they may be. Nevertheless, I will think twice before posting anything in the future for fear that I have not supplied an adequate bibliography. I wouldn't take it so hard. Many of us have been chastised for posting a theory or thought that was wrong. There are tons of data out there that most of us casual posters don't know about. I see anagrams for stats like WAR, OPS+, FART, etc. that I don't usually look at. But I have to say that I've learned a lot about stats by using this site. Like another poster said, stating IMO or "it seems to me" might keep the "you're wrong!" posts down.

I'd like to see some caverns. Plus, any place that has a decent amusement park is a plus. My wife isn't much into outdoors, and any place we stay has to have all the amenities.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Sep 14, 2010 -> 09:07 AM) Last weeks Peggy v. Don was the best moment in the series so far IMO. My complaint about this weeks episode was that it was too neatly wrapped up (along with the other odd stylistic things they did...the voiceover, the weird perspective when Don is drinking at work....add that to the horrible ghost scene from an episode or two ago and they're really making some odd filming choices). We went 7.75 episodes with Betty being this child about everything, hating everything about Don, and then at the very end she's finally ok with it? Just like that? I don't buy it. Don's "transformation" was a little better, but I still feel like we went through a LOT of negative before we got to the quick turnaround. At least with his storyline you could see him slowly climbing out of that hole he dug himself into, and this episode in particular was all about realizing he needs to change and grow. But Betty had none of that. She had a moment at dinner where she acted as she normally would, she was scolded by Henry, encouraged by her neighbor, and then suddenly that line that she has everything and Don has nothing flipped the switch? Meh. Also, I tend to have a strong reaction when anyone gangs up on Peggy. I grew to dislike Joan in this episode, even though I could sympathize with her position. I couldn't agree more. You're right about the Peggy v. Don episode. Betty's character always pissed me off. She had every right to be angry at Don, but she was so childish about it. And her mothering skills are not very good. I suspect we will see more of the friction between her and Don. I find it hard to believe that she turned that page so quick, like you said. Don's decline was quick and he stayed down there for quite a while. We really saw a bad side of him, and I'm glad we're seeing a turnaround. But, again I suspect he'll have some hiccups along the way. Joan's reaction to what Peggy did was not what I would have suspected. She acted like she had solved it, but you know that it would have continued after she basically told them they'll all die in Vietnam. That guy should have been fired, and I'm glad Peggy did.

I'm starting to think about a vacation plan for the family next year. I've been pondering either Gatlinburg, TN or Branson, MO. However, I'm keeping my options open. Ultimately I'd like it to be within driving distance (8 hours or less). Anybody with families with young kids (9, 8, and 6) have any suggestions?

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Sep 14, 2010 -> 09:03 AM) There have been recent rumors that Aramis is thinking about declining the option and become a free agent. With the season he is having, he would be a complete moron to do that. He would better off exercising it and hoping for a Beltre-like resurgence in 2011. Yeah, if he became a free agent, he's not going to get more than that per year. Maybe he wants a multi-year deal, but he won't touch $14 million per. If he did become a free agent, think the Sox would have any interest?

QUOTE (knightni @ Sep 14, 2010 -> 08:41 AM) Well, I like Direct TV mostly because I will be able to watch Comcast Chicago at my home as opposed to only Fox Sports Detroit with Comcast. I just noticed your location. I see your dilemna. I know AT&T has a sports package that gives you access to a bunch of sports channels from other markets, but I don't know about Comcast Chicago.

QUOTE (knightni @ Sep 14, 2010 -> 07:23 AM) I'll probably be living on On Demand for my TV. I'm on the fence about whether I should leave Comcast for DirectTV, though. Any opinions/suggestions? I just left Comcast for AT&T U-Verse. Huge upgrade in my opinion. Tape four shows at once (you can tape three and still watch another on on TV). Their On-Demand library is not as expansive as Comcast's, but it's growing.

It starts tonight!

QUOTE (knightni @ Sep 14, 2010 -> 07:04 AM) I wonder if St Louis would pick up that Pujols guy's option... I haven't heard much about this guy, but apparently he hits a few homeruns. At $16 million, the Cards would be silly not to exercise the option. I would think it's a no-brainer.

QUOTE (justBLAZE @ Sep 14, 2010 -> 06:40 AM) Jayson Werth is a FA, i know it's a pipe dream but you resign Paulie, put Quentin at DH and Werth in RF, albeit this is a very RH lineup, needs a big LH bat in the middle, Dunn ? Dunn would be nice, and I'm not sure his re-signing in Washington is as probable anymore. But, he's going to want to play the field, and that would mean not re-signing Konerko (unless Konerko agrees to DH). Then what do you do with Quentin? I think RF, C, and 1B are the biggest question marks for next year. 3B is somewhat up in the air, but I wonder if Morel will be ready...or do they stick with Teahen (gasp) or Viciedo? As far as our big question marks, I think only one of those positions will be big money. Konerko ($10 million) or Dunn ($15+ million) at 1B, VMart ($10 million) at C, Werth ($10 million) in RF. On a side note, does Bill Hall really have a $9.25 million club option? Yikes.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Sep 13, 2010 -> 01:11 PM) Boardwalk Empire. That is all. I was immediately drawn in by the commercials for this. I was a little let down finding out it was on HBO, but luckily my father in-law is going to tape it for us.

QUOTE (Disco72 @ Sep 13, 2010 -> 07:45 PM) Probably because more stuff happened in one episode than some shows do in half a season! True. Plus it was an extended episode. This is a great show, and the energy so far through the first episode is high. Jax isn't brooding and contemplating, he's kicking ass. Plus, as far as I'm concerned, I have no problem watching anything with Maggie Siff.

I wonder what the Sox will do about the outfield. Pierre and Rios will almost for sure be back, but RF is the question mark. I don't want to see Quentin struggling out there again, and Jones can't play every day. And as far as I know, we don't have a prospect ready to step in.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Sep 14, 2010 -> 02:22 AM) Why no? The Sox have money. It's not your money. There are no guarantees we are going to win s***. Might as well have a good guy like Paulie signed for three more years at 10-12 million a year. Who cares if he ultimately f***s up. He deserves the cash. It's pretty apparent to me the Sox will always spend enough to be .500ish. They can't risk having crowds fall to 20,000 the entire summer. So pay Paulie. The Sox formula for winning a WS in the future is going to remain the same. Have the pieces in place IF EVERYTHING GOES RIGHT during a season. Career years galore, etc. So fear not. Pay the man. The Sox can afford it. If not, and Jerry sells the team, he's going to get so much money for this team it'll make his head spin. The Sox do have money, but they can't afford to tie up all of their money in a handful of players. I for one think they should do everything possible to bring back Konerko. I think he deserves and will get $8-$12 million a year, but I doubt the Sox would offer more than a two year contract. I could see 2/$20 million, and I'd be fine with that.

I agree that much of what happens over the off-season will hinge on Konerko. I would hope he's re-signed, and $8-$12 million a year seems likely for him. If one of Manny or Andruw is brought back, I'd have to go for Jones. He'd cost less, and I think he has more power nowadays. VMart would be great, but I wouldn't be surprised to see AJ behind the plate for at least one more year.

Fringe House The Walking Dead (new show on AMC) Undercovers (JJ Abrahms new show)

QUOTE (Brian @ Sep 13, 2010 -> 11:07 AM) Agreed. When Betty becomes tolerable and someone has a redeaming quality at the end, it is interesting. Don rejecting a One Night Stand? WTF? I used to look up to that man. I think he's trying to change his ways, thinking there might be a future with the doctor. Don has come across as quite an ass in a few episodes. Then last week's episode started showing a change.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Sep 13, 2010 -> 10:32 AM) We're one episode in... I don't know why I thought it was two episodes already. Anyway, I like the way this one has kicked off.

QUOTE (Milkman delivers @ Sep 13, 2010 -> 09:25 AM) I find myself getting excited for Tuesday nights now. I can't recall the last time a show had me looking forward to it as much as SOA does. It has started off great. Best season so far.

I'll take the Ravens.

Big, huge series starts tomorrow. The best the Sox can be afterwards is 3 out, which wouldn't be horrible. But being 9 out would pretty much wrap up the season.