greg775

QUOTE (Reddy @ Sep 26, 2017 -> 02:43 AM) The bible was literally created for this exact purpose - to explain the unexplainable and to make people feel better about tough things. That said... to me it's just stories to give people a reason not to confront the difficult aspects of life, and to make hard things somewhat easier to get through. In reality, life IS random. Good things happen to bad people and bad things to good people. Nothing is fair. I have a mentor who I've known all my life who's the greatest human on the planet - a composer and choral conductor who has worked with kids for decades and changed so many lives all over the planet. Got hit by a drunk driver, mangled his whole body including his right arm - the one he conducts with - immediately after getting hired to be the artistic director of one of the most prestigious choirs in the country. Boom. Life changed. Forever. I'm sure we've ALL got that story. But to me, running and hiding from it by telling yourself and others that there's some magical afterlife isn't doing anything to help anyone. I'm a rock climber. I have a lot of friends who climb. At some point one of them is going to die climbing. It's a given. Every climber has the experience of losing someone. But the reason we do it in the first place is because of how much we LOVE climbing, love the community, love to experience life to the absolute fullest. Climbing has taken me to incredible places, all across this planet, and I'm so grateful for that experience. I handle the tough s*** by immersing myself in the things I love, telling the people I love that I love them, and doing what I can to make this world a better place. I channel my pain into loving life and loving people. Because if I think that this is all I've got, and that there's no magical fairy land waiting for me, it'll make me bust my ass that much harder to APPRECIATE every damn moment. You handle these tough times by practicing gratitude - being grateful for the life you've led, and making sure the one you still have to lead is worth living. Great post Reddy. I do respect your perspective and appreciate it. I can't prove there is an afterlife. I do take solace in the fact I think there is one and there are still a lot of smart people out there who think there is a God. I will ask them about it, these are smart people, too, and they believe so that makes me think I could be correct. I like your take, though. This was a brilliant post.

Korea says we have declared war so they will shoot down our planes even over airspace that is neutral. Again ... if they are that dumb, they will be blown off the map, but so will many other countries. I still say we are in crisis mode. Accidents can happen.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Sep 25, 2017 -> 11:37 AM) All of your answers to why are in the Bible. Interesting.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 25, 2017 -> 01:48 PM) It is kind of amazing that Jose is both our biggest contract of all time, and one of our best free agent contracts of all time. Congrats to a true leader and all around great guy! Now that's a good post. Congrats to Jose and no need for the word "but ...."

QUOTE (iWin4Ron @ Sep 25, 2017 -> 04:20 AM) Why is the world so cruel? Because humans aren't the centerpiece of it. Our society values us above animals, the earth, and pretty much everything, yet, the reality is that there is very little difference from us humans and an animal or even a plant or bacteria. There is no 'purpose' in life. Once one understands that we are nothing special, we are simply star dust, can you see that the world is indeed not cruel, it is simply continuing the evolution set forth from the big bang on. With that being said, the better question is why is society so cruel? To that I answer, well, we are working on it. In the 21st century we are actually the least cruel society that humanity has known (that is, over large periods of time and not samples of minor societies here or there). An interesting book on this phenomena is Steven Pinker's "The Better Angels of our Nature". I'm sorry to hear about your friends terrible luck. I may read that book. Interesting stuff.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Sep 25, 2017 -> 12:42 AM) Trump said we have a great country, so he must have already made it great again. I wonder if it was OK to kneel last season. Uh oh. Chiefs Justin Houston took a knee to pray today not protest. Made it public with statements about the power of prayer. Uh oh. Many Americans aren't gonna like hearing about praying.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Sep 24, 2017 -> 12:59 PM) Aren’t you a big believer? Yeah but I'm human and have no answers to the earth's most unkind/unfair moments. I forgot to mention one of her other kids for some reason last year had a stroke in her 20s and was told she'd have brain capacity of a 6-year-old the rest of her life however is doing better than that at this time. And her ex husband had the nerve to tell her today he would not let her have any say in the daughter's funeral unless she paid for half. She is decimated in debt cause of our country's great healthcare plans and the ex is thinking money at a time like this. Unfair I tell ya.

.331 now, 18 homers, 80 RBI. Nice job, Avi. Nobody can ever take the 2017 season away from you. It was a very good one. I can't believe how much it takes to impress some posters, but color me impressed. If there is ever a time I can't appreciate a young player's obvious improvement, I don't want to be a sports fan any more. Even defensively he had some big time highlights this season. AVI BABY.

Jose Abreu is now the third player in major-league history to begin his career with four seasons of 25-plus home runs and 100-plus RBIs. The other two? Joe DiMaggio (1936-39) and Albert Pujols (2001-04). Are you kidding me? This is a huge accomplishment and I applaud him. Way to go, Jose. http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseb...0924-story.html

QUOTE (iWin4Ron @ Sep 24, 2017 -> 09:43 PM) National anthems at sports game is a stupid nationalistic tradition that has to be done away with anyway. Perhaps the recent news will start a discussion on that. . And yes, I second that the democrats utterly failed to present anything competitive against the Republicans Trump. Otherwise, we wouldn't be in this mess right now. I think I agree. The anthem has to go cause of all the protests. Also I disagree with Rock. Today's amped up protests are because of what Trump said. They didn't all of a sudden get hundreds of players to protest cause of the initial issue.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Sep 24, 2017 -> 12:38 PM) http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-a...0e1bd9ebee.html The St. Louis police have definitely been aggressive (some might say out of control) any time the protests have become violent at all. If they hear glass breaking, look out, they attack. Yesterday at the mall some folks started throwing garbage cans and all hell broke loose. Say what you want but they are kicking ass when ANY violence begins. Of course I am against them attacking innocent bystanders. I hope those people sue the police department and I hope they win. It's pretty unfortunate (could happen to any of us) that u get maced and beat and arrested when you are merely in the neighborhood you live in headed to the coffee shop. Problem is like I said when the destruction of protestors begins, they announce that it's time to leave, and if people don't immediately leave ... there's some head knocking going on. They even arrested (later released with no charges) a 13 year old and his granny (charges stuck on her I think).

Well, Trump is showing what happens when a rich guy (one who likes Twitter; most old rich folk don't embrace Twitter) who also is an opinionated loudmouth after years of yes men kissing his butt becomes president. This taking on the sports world is troublesome obviously. Now there are going to be protests during the anthem pretty much at every sports game played the next 3 years. However, the protests will be against Trump more than the actual social injustice issue. So now, we are going to have to hear incessantly after each game and during each game about which players protested and which didn't. Then we are going to have to hear from the players themselves to explain if they were protesting against Trump or the social issues or both. My point is at every sporting event now, I'd say 1/4 to 1/2 the coverage of the game itself will be political bulls***. The NFL players and NBA players need to just stay in the locker rooms during the anthem and say, "Until we comment further, the reason these players (then list them) are not on the court for the anthem is a protest against Donald Trump." Then put "the reason these players (and list them) are not on the court is a protest against Donald Trump as well as social injustice." Then put (and list the players) 'The reason these players are not on the court are they are responding to social injustice; they are fine with Trump." And then put "the reason these players are not on the court (and list them) are a sign of support to groups a and b." Otherwise this is all gonna be all politics during our sporting events all the time. The nonsequitir here is the playing at the anthem at NFL games is usually an amazing spectacle with jets flying overhead and sometimes those big flags that cover the field. And at most games some military (who wear the flag proudly) are honored. So the NFL has embraced the anthem big time. Most sports have. Now it's going to be all protest all the time, because if players don't protest they are going to be afraid it's a sign they approve of Trump. I'd prefer the NFL players and other sports merely hold signs during the anthem saying, "We demand Donald Trump's resignation." Otherwise this is a messy attack on the anthem when the current anger is over Trump the chump.

Didn't see a thread to put this in. Not asking for sympathy of any kind just asking why the world can be so cruel? A good friend of mine (a kind special ed teacher in suburban Chicago) was diagnosed with breast cancer a couple years ago. Instead of her battle having a happy ending her body has been fried from all the chemo and radiation and she's in intense pain day and night. Needs more surgery; cancer free at this time but saddled with some severe health problems related to the breast cancer. Her husband divorced her a few years before she was diagnosed and I don't think has been involved in helping. She is a kind soul who is supporting not only her 3 kids but a nephew who lives in the house too. Last night her 20 something daughter got hit by a car leaving work and immediately died. Gone. My friend is in shock and engulfed in sadness. People are stepping up and trying to help. Why are all these things happening to a good person? Why? Why did so many die in the earthquake in Mexico? Why are people dying in hurricanes? Just fate? So sad. My friend is devastated and not for herself, but having her daughter unable to live life past the age of 24.

QUOTE (Heads22 @ Sep 24, 2017 -> 04:18 AM) That's complete bulls***. Look, I was a Bernie lover and Hillary hater. Lots of us out there. The Democrats failed us in giving us Hillary vs. Trump. Trump should never have won; should never have gotten any momentum. It's also the Republicans fault for giving us such lousy opposition in the primaries to Trump. I mean Trump just lacerated everybody so to speak. He bullied Bush; he made the surgeon Carson seem like a sturgeon; he annihilated Carly; he never allowed Kasisch to gain any steam. Had any of the traditional candidates looked presidential instead of clownish Trump would have dropped out early in the primary season. Don't forget there were tons of Americans against Hillary. The Democrats coulda went Bernie.

Man there's a lot of anger in St. Louis. Did you see the protestors headed to the mall again today. Cops again did their thing, at the first sign of violence they go ballistic. Some people were tossing trash cans and the cops arrested 22 at that point when people wouldn't disperse. Included was a 13 year old kid and his granny. Kid was released with no charges; granny charged. Cops said the 22 would get serious charges. Then the protestors headed to a ritzy hotel to continue protest after kicked out of the mall. Man, eight days and counting of protests in St. Louis. Very wild. Again, the cops do nothing until the sound of breaking glass or any disruptive behavior at all. Then they let loose.

QUOTE (Tony @ Sep 24, 2017 -> 03:47 AM) So much can change, but I'd rather the Sox not use assets to get a guy they may already have in Avi Garcia. At 26, I just don't agree that Avi can't help this team win the future. I also don't think an extension would be an insanely high price. I mean you said it all. The guy is only 26. Tim Anderson turns 25 next June 23; his age 25 season. Avi turns 27 next June 12, his age 27 season. Anderson is considered young and everybody's all pumped up bout him; Avi considered an aging non prospect. Kill the cliches and get real, people. Avi is just as good a prospect, maybe even better prospect than TA. How's that for a bold, true statement? That said, the Sox are in a good position to not do anything cept let him play next season. No need to do anything with his contract but trading him would be stupid. You think we aren't going to need Avi and Jose for our WS team?? All prospects isn't gonna cut it.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Sep 24, 2017 -> 03:03 AM) You are so full of s*** and ignorant, It's mind blowing. Step off your bubble of a college campus and walk in the real world for one single day and maybe people can actually have adult discussions with you. Go vote my family death in the hospital again, isn't that how It works? I agree with Little Hurt here. Some of us Republicans (I think I'm Indy now though) simply could not vote for somebody we considered wicked and evil, Hillary Rodman Clinton. Case closed. At least I didn't vote for Trump either, but give us a break please. It's not like the Democrats gave America a reasonable alternative to Donald Trump. I will say Trump's tweeting continues to be a huge problem. Those tweets about sports players and teams were like u all said, ill advised and childish. And his comments about those who kneel during the anthem ... wow. I've been attacked on here for my mild position. Trump went all out freak out ripping those players. I pity the poor NFL writers on Sunday and Monday. They are gonna want to report on a football game and they will have to interview all the guys who take a knee cause those guys will be all out attacking Trump verbally after LeBron's forceful comments. This won't be good for the NFL either, as whether you agree or not it's been suggested publicly NFL ratings are down partly because of the anthem issue. Little Hurt and I disagree at times but cmon, give us a break. Please once and for all realize Hillary gave America very little option to vote out Chump, I mean Trump.

Here are guys I don't want to see on the Sox mound next season. They happen to have all pitched tonight. Covey, Fry, Alburquerque, Holmberg and Beck. I truly would rather have Fathom learn the knuckleball and pitch than those horrific pitchers.

QUOTE (Wanne @ Sep 23, 2017 -> 08:55 PM) It means FINALLY not being friggin Africa-hot out here!!!! Agree with ya about football...I really find myself just not caring more and more with each passing season. People bag on baseball for being boring...but good lord...go to a football game and count the minutes you're sitting there with your thumb up your arse waiting for either the tv timeouts to be over....and another mindless review. It's gotten unbearable honestly. Baseball is...and will always be the best sport in my mind. This offseason is a little different in terms of the Sox...the major deals are already done (for the most part)...sign a few bullpen pieces...and wait for spring. I don't want to wish it away...because like Jimmy said...I'm at the opposite end...when baseball starts it means Africa-hot isn't too far off. Personally...I'm so ready to move out of this oven!!! Wish I could be a snowbird lol. I forgot about the long reviews in the NFL and college football. It's so f***ing boring. It makes you wonder how the refs ever called a game in the past without replay. I mean they review everything and the calls usually are wrong.

QUOTE (kitekrazy @ Sep 23, 2017 -> 07:20 PM) Has anyone toward the end of the season always have a regret they didn't spend more time watching baseball. In 40 years I went from a football junkie to rarely ever watching an NFL game. I just don't watch it anymore. It's become boring for me while so many say baseball is boring. I don't regret not watching more baseball because I watched a lot of games as long as Shields, Holland and Pelphrey weren't pitching. I just couldn't watch those 3 guys pitch and didn't. I probably watched uh, none of their games all season, maybe one of Holland's early. I did watch many of the other games or parts of them. I watched some Royals games on TV, not many, enough to know a little about the team. They somehow have played 3 under .500 ball despite having a wretched pitching staff. This is the first year probably in my entire life I have no idea of the Sox/Royals season series results. I am thinking we have to be close to .500 against them though this time. My eye test tells me we don't lead the season series against 'em but I'm thinking 2-3 under .500. I don't understand the NFL fans. I can't watch NFL. I cant stand the short swing passes to running backs and commercial breaks. I will say though that I have sat through the last few Super Bowls which actually were OK. Used to be a huge Bears fan. Now I'm a frontrunner. Don't care til they get good. I will watch the Cubs in the playoffs again, at least the night games. It's a good baseball fix. I do miss baseball season, but this year I won't care when it ends because the Sox were embarrassingly bad. Some individuals did well though. But the team made me sick with its perpetual losing. The team was that bad. As far as winter ... winter blows. I'll take heat any time. It just sucks in life when you know you have to go travel on a winter Tuesday and the forecast says snow and ice Monday, Tuesday and part of Wednesday. You are just f***ed at that point. And I hate carrying my winter coat through a toasty airport and on a plane. Got to bring the winter coat but you sweat your ass off wearing it in airports. Ugh. My pet peeves, winter.

QUOTE (Pants Rowland @ Sep 23, 2017 -> 03:19 PM) Yeah, Greg's not a troll. He just vacillates between sounding like a drunk on the corner bar stool and a starry eyed child seeking autographs at the player's lot fence. Add in the KC shtick and he sounds almost real. Please stop responding to this fool, people. Sorry i get excited about the performance of a rookie. 26 homers in limited at bats

QUOTE (hi8is @ Sep 23, 2017 -> 04:56 AM) No offense, but if this was Moncada's stat line folks would be saying, "It's his first season, darn it. Give him a chance. Relax. he'll be fine." Because it's Davidson ... ugh his first season's 26 homers? Throw 'em back in the water; small fish to fry. Need bigger fish. See I care that it's his first season. I think those numbers are ... OK? How many rookies in Sox history have had 26 homers? Pete Ward would have killed to hit 26 home runs for Chicago.

QUOTE (Tony @ Sep 23, 2017 -> 05:32 AM) By "this board", do you mean rational adults who are not wowed by 26 HRs and instead see a terribly flawed baseball player that currently boasts a .222 AVG, .264 OBP, .716 OPS, -0.7 WAR, lackluster defense and mediocre minor league numbers? Please, get started. 26 home runs in his first season? And he still hasn't had that many at bats. I happen to love what he's done. If he somehow got to 30 I'd hoist a Miller Lite for him. 30 frickin homers in part time duty basically. It's so weird how different I am philosophy wise than most posters on this board. I guess it's old school eye test guy vs. modern advanced statniks.

QUOTE (credezcrew24 @ Sep 23, 2017 -> 05:32 AM) I thought the tank was on when Avi fell, but then I saw that Merrifield hadn't even touched 3rd yet and my heart sank. Then Cain had to go and make my day worse by getting doubled off So weird. I had the opposite sensation. I was so mad KC was about to tie it then I saw Avi with this amazing throw, a great tag and great throw to first and incredible throw by Jose and tag by Anderson and fistbump by Anderson so happy to win a meaningless game. I screamed in delight. Damn I was so frickin happy to beat the Royals. And happy for the fans who seemed into it at the Cell.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Sep 23, 2017 -> 04:02 AM) I will say this. Its a different kind of game thread. Even in the inning where the Sox came back with the 5 run 4th all the talk was about how Lopez looked . No mention of the Anderson RBI. No mention of the Davidson 2 run HR. Only when Moncada hit the other 2 run bomb did people comment. Davidson ... don't get me started. Let's just say he's not liked so much on this board.