Controlled Chaos

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ May 9, 2007 -> 07:00 AM) OK now that is just hilarious. It wasn't too long ago that everyone would have been screaming because Ozzie didn't take Vaz out after the 5th inning, now he is supposed to let him go over 110 pitches? LMAO. Yeah that to me is just hindsight second guessing. It's different when Ozzie doesn't make the smart or correct "baseball" decision and he is second guessed. But Javy was over 100 pitches when he came out for the 7th...Sitting Javy for the 8th was the right call....In fact if Ozzie brought him out for the 8th, then I would have been like WTF is he doing....one of those gut things again that mkes no sense??

QUOTE(striker62704 @ May 9, 2007 -> 08:58 AM) Ozzie should have left Javier in for the 8th. If he got in trouble, then bring in Aardsma. Aardsma is 10X better than MacDougal. Then bring Jenks in for the save. Ozzie always has to use 6 pitchers to get through the 7th & 8th innings. Righty vs. Righty and Lefty vs. Lefty. So stupid. I think Javy was up there in pitch count.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ May 9, 2007 -> 08:47 AM) Wow, this loss was Ozzie's fault? I coulda sworn it was the bullpen. Hes right though, If Sweeney isnt going to play everyday up here, its more beneficial to have him play everyday at AAA. Its the correct decision. I agree if Sweeney isnt going to play everyday up here, its more beneficial to have him play everyday at AAA. Just as it is for Anderson. What I don't agree with is Sweeney not playing every day up here.

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ May 9, 2007 -> 01:28 AM) What if he hits a homer? God I love Ozzie's logic. No, it's your fault for not f***ing walking Morneau. Ozzie doesn't use logic. Hell I don't even know if he has logic. It's not his fault...he is just an uneducated man. He is a a fun baseball guy, and played the game well, but logic?? smarts?? educated decisions?? not so much. He was raised, not in a classroom, but on a ball field. Does that equate to being a good manager? I don't think so. I think it takes more than that. "I swear to God, you can put me in Harvard, you can put me in any college in (the) United States, and you ask me a question, I will answer..." yes Ozzie you will answer...you will be wrong of course, but yes you will answer. Big deal. A 4 year old can answer wrong. What you need to do is work on getting it right!!

QUOTE(retro1983hat @ May 8, 2007 -> 11:54 AM) I got one wrong after about 20. I forgot who it was against Will Ferrell. I chose Will Ferrall. Hey, he's funny. Will Ferrel vs Will Smith. I got that wrong too...picked will ferrell

QUOTE(LVSoxFan @ May 7, 2007 -> 09:31 PM) Tonight wasn't bad at all. More like it. Where's your blog post? Last night was the first good episode in a long time. I do think that the show has run it's course. They can only rehash things so many times.

Indiana Florida Wisconsin Iowa Missouri Nevada California Arizona I drove through Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia, but not sure if I should count those.

QUOTE(DrunkBomber @ May 7, 2007 -> 03:12 PM) Just Illinois for me ditto

QUOTE(Kalapse @ May 5, 2007 -> 12:57 PM) Except the Sox can not afford to be terrible in the first few months of the season considering they're traditionally a horrible second half team. If history is any indication, the Sox will need a nice lead in the division at the break if they want any shot at making the playoffs. July, August and September are not kind months to the White Sox. Podsednik isn't coming back, people need to realize this. If he won't even be able to run again until mid June I don't expect him to be able to do much with his legs for the rest of the season. And Podsednik - speed = s***. So the Sox are currently missing 1 key player in hopes of having him back relatively soon. We can only hope Konerko, Dye, Iguchi and Pierzynski catch fire when the new hitting coach is introduced. They haven't been terrible the first few months...we're only through 1 month of the season and they are hitting terrible, but they are still .500 and had one tough schedule. Them being a horrible seond half team in the past has nothing to do with this year. If history has any indicatoin in baseball it's that you can't predict what's going to happen.

QUOTE(Jenksismyb**** @ May 7, 2007 -> 11:56 AM) I hope he wins If those are the facts, I think he has a great chance.

QUOTE(DrunkBomber @ May 7, 2007 -> 10:54 AM) Luxors damage control was working quickly, saying the customers werent at danger. I wonder if that was really the case. It's such a ridiculous statement to even make. I highly doubt his intent was for it to blow up on him as he was taking it off the roof of his car. Either way...we don't know...

Sopranos Rewind: Walk Like a Man Posted by Alan Sepinwall May 07, 2007 4:05AM Categories: The Sopranos WARNING: This column contains major plot spoilers for last night's "Sopranos" episode. "Everything turns to (excrement)," laments Tony. Funny how often he's the reason for that. Episode Five, "Walk Like a Man," follows the pattern of the Junior/Paulie episode "Remember When," constructing parallel narratives about Tony's biological son (A.J.) and the person he's always treated like a son (Chris). Where "Remember When" was about the pain of growing old alone, "Walk Like a Man" showed the psychological toll of being related, by blood or by bond, to the Family in general and Tony in particular. A.J. and Chris have both inherited unfortunate traits from their fathers: Tony's depression and Dickie's substance abuse. (Tony, naturally, goes about in pity for himself about the former and has no interest in hearing about the latter.) Both are dealing with their problems in their own way - A.J. by curling up into a weepy little ball, Chris by avoiding the Bing - but Tony doesn't have patience for any coping mechanism that doesn't involve living up to the episode's title. Chris may have a handle on his problem, but he didn't take the Gary Cooper approach, and Tony dislikes him for it. (Tony's also, as he was when Janice's anger management therapy was briefly working, jealous to see someone getting better when he never does. Witness his frustration when Chris calls him about Paulie trashing his lawn and verbally closes off any avenue Tony might have to yell at him.) Tony may have a point about the face-to-face nature of the business they have chosen, but he's also the one who guilted Chris into drinking some of that wine they stole from the bikers last year. And, sure, there are better ways for A.J. to get over Blanca than watching bad James Franco movies, but what does Tony expect when A.J. has been pampered his entire life? He and Carmela (who was happy about the break-up because of "the culture divide") are awful parents, maybe not Livia and Johnny Boy-level, but terrible at meeting A.J.'s needs in good times and bad. Chris may have his problems with spelling and grammar, but he's not stupid. He can see that Bacala has taken his place in the inner circle - at the barbecue, Tony and Bobby discuss business over two cold ones, naturally - and he knows that his problems with Paulie wouldn't be nearly as bad if the two could go out for steak and a shot. So he goes off the wagon again and sees the other wiseguys for what they really are: a pack of cackling animals who take pleasure in other people's misery. He goes to his old AA buddy/punching bag J.T. Dolan for comfort, but J.T. wants no part of Chris' revenge fantasies about turning rat, or of Chris wallowing in self-pity. As he says to Chris, with such force that Chris puts a bullet between J.T.'s eyes in response, "You're in the Mafia!" J.T. means that he, as a civilian, shouldn't be hearing about Ralphie and Adriana, but also, what does Chris expect? How can he ever hope to get better living in such a violent, emotionally twisted world? It's a world that Tony has now pushed A.J. into by forcing him to befriend Patsy and Carlo's sons, a pair of book-making frat boys who are like competent copies of Jackie Jr. Tony has never wanted this life for A.J., but in his impatience for the crying jags to end, he sent his son to hang out with guys who keep a vial of acid handy in case they should run across a deadbeat in need of torturing. Tony can't even plead ignorance, because he knew that the Jasons were running a Family-affiliated sports book. Right now, he and Carm think they've done a wonderful job of helping their son heal, but whatever comes of his new friends is 100 percent on Tony... ...as is whatever happens to Chris. In cutting a deal of nebulous value with Agent Harris about Ahmed and Muhammed, Tony may have sold out Chris - who, after all, was supplying those guys with credit card numbers and guns. And the pressure by Tony and Paulie has Chris drinking again, his resentment over Adriana now doubled with his realization that his "friends" have put him back in the grips of his disease. And I really do hope something is coming of all this. Since this final season began, I've been warning everyone that Chase and company may not be going for an earth-shattering conclusion, but more of a life-goes-on finish. But the writers have spent so much time over the last five episodes hinting that some apocalypse is coming - whether it's Phil making war with New Jersey, Tony taking out Chris or vice versa, the FBI completing their RICO case, Muhammed and Ahmed up to no good - that if none of that comes to pass, every bit of anger from the fans is going to be justified. There comes a point when the storytelling stops being daring and unconventional and starts being sloppy and cruel. The character moments this episode - and this season - have been superb, but if the plot just comes to an abrupt halt at the end of Episode Nine, a lot of viewers are going to be echoing Tony's line to Melfi: "After all the complaining and crying and (expletives deleted) - is this all there is?' Some other thoughts on "Walk Like a Man': -Longtime "Sopranos" writer Terence Winter did a fine job in his directorial debut, helping himself by penning the best therapy scene in a long time. When Tony and Melfi are getting along, it's because he doesn't need help and is just shining her on as part of his "oasis." Whenever he's really in trouble, though, he gets hostile with her, and the tension brings out the best in Melfi the therapist - and Gandolfini and Bracco the actors. -Speaking of that scene, Tony doesn't want Melfi to make a referral for A.J. after the therapist she sent Meadow to in season four almost convinced Meadow to drop out of school. It's a good thing he doesn't know about the referral Melfi gave to Carmela - the elderly shrink who tried to convince Carm to leave Tony and his "blood money" - else their sessions would go beyond hostile and into a very dangerous area. -Squint-or-you'd-miss-it cameo: in the scene where Tony's hitting on one of the Bing girls, you can just barely see Georgie working behind the bar again (actor Frank Santorelli was also in the closing credits), even though he apparently quit for good after a beating from Tony gave him permanent hearing loss in Season Five's "Cold Cuts." -Theories from last week that need putting to rest: Hesh's girlfriend Renata died of natural causes (per one of the writers and HBO.com), and Blanca doesn't appear to be pregnant. She's just not that into A.J., or it's like A.J. told his shrink: she was uncomfortable around all of his family's money. -How many young Jasons has this show featured? Both Patsy and Carlo's kids are named Jason, Little Paulie's sidekick is Jason Molinaro, Melfi's son is Jason La Penna, Lorraine Caluzzo's partner/boytoy was Jason Evanina, one of the Blundetto twins was a Jason, Dick Barone's son was Jason... Is this the 2007 version of that "Goodfellas" joke about all of the kids being named either Peter or Paul? Alan Sepinwall may be reached at [email protected]

QUOTE(caulfield12 @ May 4, 2007 -> 03:29 PM) Buehrle is the heart and soul of this franchise, along with Konerko. You can't put a dollar value on that...which is why replacing him with XXX player doesn't make a whole lot of sense, because starting pitching is so fragile. Everyone was betting against Gil Meche going from a 4-5 starter to the "ace" of the Royals, and he's been exactly that pitcher they projected (around a 2 ERA) but they're still well off the pace. Why did the Royals make that move? To show they were again a legitimate, viable "breathing" franchise. Well, the White Sox need to prove to their fans that they're going to be a "player" in the future of the AL Central or if we're going back to Maybe These Kids Can Play, Version 4. Signing Buehrle makes sense because... 1) He's been a critical part of our franchise his entire career 2) We're not going to end up keeping Crede, the other "born and bred" Sox player 3) He's very durable, and still in his prime, as opposed to Vazquez and Contreras 4) He's representative of the "blue collar" work ethic Sox fans most identify with 5) He doesn't have a violent motion or pitch that creates maximum torque like the Liriano slider or Felix Hernandez slurve 6) He's lefthanded and would be a great tutor/mentor for Danks and Gio 7) Any pitcher you can name that we would trade for (Peavy, Oswalt, etc.) would cost us way too much 8) All indications are he would like to come back if the White Sox make a "fair" offer near market value It makes so much sense...it probably won't get done.

Imus Seeks $40 Million Revenge by Gina Serpe Fri, 4 May 2007 10:09:33 AM PDT Three words may have gotten Don Imus into this mess, but he's hoping three others may get him out of it: breach of contract. A lawyer for the shock jock, who was fired from his CBS radio gig on Apr. 12 amid a storm of criticism for referring to the Rutgers women's basketball team as "nappy-headed hos," is claiming that the real victim in all this is Imus himself, who attorney Martin Garbus insists was ousted for simply doing his job. As a result, Garbus has announced plans to file a complaint against the network seeking to collect the remainder of Imus' five-year, $40 million contract. At the time of his firing, Imus was just three months into his new deal. While Garbus acknowledges Imus' comments about the college players were offensive and inappropriate, the attorney maintains that the pundit neither broke any laws nor violated any Federal Communications Commission regulations. Furthermore, Garbus claims, CBS had encouraged, and profited from, Imus' un-PC riffs. Garbus, a First Amendment lawyer whose previous clients include Spike Lee, Public Enemy and Lenny Bruce, told Good Morning America that in his contract with CBS, the network specifically implored Imus to cover "extraordinary," "irreverent" and, most important, "controversial" topics on his syndicated radio show, which was simulcast daily on MSNBC. The attorney also claimed that per the terms of Imus' new contract, the host would be issued one warning in the wake of any verbal malfeasance before further action was taken and that that procedure, set in place for just such an occurrence, did not take place in this instance. What's more, Garbus said, is that both CBS Radio and MSNBC were intentionally "creating a shock jock" and that Imus was simply doing "exactly what they wanted him to do." According to the lawyer, both outlets had the opportunity to edit out Imus' derogatory remarks via a delay button. "That means CBS and MSNBC both knew the language that was going out, and both knew the language complied with [imus'] contract," the attorney said. "It was consistent with many of the things he had done." An MSNBC spokesperson has since denied the claim, saying the broadcast aired without delay and that the network would not have had time to edit the remarks. CBS Radio, meanwhile, has released a statement saying that they are prepared to fully and vigorously defend Imus' firing. "We terminated Mr. Imus for cause," the network said. "Based on the comments in question and relevant contract terms, we believe that the termination was appropriate and CBS would expect to prevail in any attempt by Mr. Imus to recover money for his actions." Garbus said he will file the complaint by the end of next week. CBS Radio, which has been auditioning other hosts but has yet to choose a successor for the prized a.m. slot, has already been on the winning end of one legal action stemming from the Imus termination. Last month, a Southern California station agreed to stop airing "best of" Imus in the Morning segments (which the station had been broadcasting as a "listener service" after the firing in open defiance of CBS Radio) after the corporation filed a federal copyright infringement suit.

Is this feature gone or is it just me?

QUOTE(retro1983hat @ May 4, 2007 -> 09:08 AM) I have been to a few for Bachelor Parties. I guess I either work too hard for my money or it just doesn't do it for me. Dropping $50 for a "lapdance" where most places they barely hit your "lap", forget it. I can waste my money on watching the Sox pathetic offense. My wife has never had a problem with me going, always been up front about it when the party ended up there. I find it funny when then other guys at the party are all like "don't tell my wife/GF." Why, like you're going to not only have the opportunity to, but also then leave the person you chose to spend your life with for a stripper. Insecure. Now I have been to "private" Bachelor Parties in a hotel or at a house where the interaction has been a bit "closer." Still seemed like a waste of money to me. I'm not sure wives don't want their husbands to go because they are worried about them leaving. It's just not a lot are comfortable with another womens tits slapping their hubby in the face. As far as guys just seeing some naked chicks on stage with no phisical contact...I'd venture to say the majority of wives could careless.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ May 4, 2007 -> 09:06 AM) Where it is located dick. Now there are all sorts of restaurants there, when i was growing up, it was a tire shop. And Yorktown wasnt the mall white people used to go to. yeah, It's bumping over there now. Anyone try the Capitol Grill yet? I didn't know that about Yorktown?

QUOTE(Steve9347 @ May 4, 2007 -> 08:57 AM) Oh, I'm sorry, why don't you point me to the other thread that has Ross Gload in the title? Oh wait, I guess I'm supposed to sift through 250 posts in some outfield thread to find something on Gload, when the search function is disabled. Get a life! Dude I never bust balls on that...didn't mean to call you out, but the thread is 2 below this one.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ May 4, 2007 -> 08:52 AM) Food distracts from all star gazing discussions. I grew up about 1/4 of a mile away from that place. Right off highland. haha...you grew up in a years time. It opened in January of last year.

QUOTE(Steve9347 @ May 4, 2007 -> 08:47 AM) After another solid game yesterday, Gload is hitting .307, with 2 homers, 15 rbi, with an .857 OPS. I always like Gload, and I shall say... good for him. ahh so we need 2 ross gload threads.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ May 3, 2007 -> 08:34 PM) blandest food ever, but huge portions. Dude their menu is huge...have you tried everything?? Anyway I was there twice...and enjoyed it both times. The portions are huge...not sure if they were big enough for Mr Incredible, but they're sure to satisfy everyone else. The wait sucks though.

I can't believe I'm wasting a thread on this chick, but I really hope she goes to jail. She has no accountability whatsoever. There are basically no rules in her world just cause she is rich. Prosecutors want Paris Hilton in jail By SANDY COHEN, AP Entertainment Writer LOS ANGELES - Paris Hilton should be jailed for 45 days for violating terms of her probation for an alcohol-related reckless driving conviction, city prosecutors say. In documents filed April 30th in Superior Court, prosecutors said they also want Hilton to be required to stay away from alcohol for 90 days and wear a monitoring device that will chart whether she complies. The recommendation will be reviewed by a judge when Hilton appears for a probation violation hearing on Friday. Hilton pleaded no contest in January to reckless driving stemming from a Sept. 7 arrest in Hollywood. She was sentenced to 36 months probation, alcohol education and $1,500 in fines. She was pulled over by California Highway Patrol on Jan. 15. Officers informed Hilton she was driving on a suspended license and she signed a document acknowledging she was not to drive, according to court papers. She was pulled over by Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies on Feb. 27 for speeding and driving without her headlights, at which time she was charged with violating her probation. Hilton's spokesman, Elliot Mintz, said at the time that she wasn't aware her license was suspended. Prosecutors say by signing the document Hilton knew she was not allowed to drive. They also note that as of April 17 she had yet to enroll in the alcohol education program. "These violations demonstrate Hilton's disregard for the vehicle laws of this state as well as for the conditions of her probation," the court filing said. "This court should ... include imprisonment as a condition of reinstating her probation."

QUOTE(Steve9347 @ May 3, 2007 -> 12:48 PM) Depends... do your customers like the interiors of their cars reaking when they are returned? It's not like people can't still step outside for a smoke, I don't see what the big deal is. They dont smoke in the cars. It's a big ass garage. Most of the repairs are done on the outside and most of those guys smoke while they work. I was just wondering in a case like that would it be illegal?

Question. I have a friend who's dad owns a body shop. My friend and almost all the workers there smoke in the garage. Would a place like that have to ban smoking?

What is your favorite word? ultracrepidarian, which we have plenty of here!! What is your least favorite word? Hate...I hate that word! What turns you on? The switch just behind my right tricep What turns you off? Same switch What sound or noise do you love? My Daughter What sound or noise do you hatedislike? My Daughter What is your favorite curse word? f*** What profession other than yours would you most like to attempt? Sports Reporter What profession other than yours would you least like to attempt? Entomologist If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? Thank Me you're here!!!!!!!!