Chisoxfn

QUOTE (iamshack @ Apr 7, 2016 -> 09:24 AM) Interesting to hear your point of view as a resident of California, Jason. I will say, getting the resources in the ground, while it doesn't seem to make the most sense today, will begin paying off much more shortly. For the technologies to improve, someone has to actually put it into practice, and recognize some of the practical realities of them. No one ever said this stuff was going to be easy, and everyone is going to have to take their growing pains - which California has thus far borne the brunt of a lot of - but as is written in the article, for a lot of these things, the most critical thing is they have showed that it can be done. Now it is time for others to step up and put these things into practice, and take some of the economic pressure off of California. This is a total tangent, but I think of the NY Subway system or even the L train in Chicago. Two mass transit systems that by my accounts are massive successes in terms of infrastructure and value they have added to there respective cities over the years (I don't actually know what the actual economic cost / benefit is) and than I think about how if we built something like today, how impossible it would be to successfully do it or how absurd the costs would be and it makes me wonder, how can we be more efficient or was stuff like the subway's really that absurdly expensive even way back when but looking a generation later, it is something that ultimately would be extremely valuable (this goes back to the long). Or even something like Hoover Damn. Oh well...enough of that tangent, back on subject, I do agree with you, you can either keep pointing the finger saying well, why should we do it if the rest of the world or other states won't, but the reality is, if something is wrong or doesn't make sense, you shouldn't just keep doing it because others do. I'd like my kids kids, etc, to be able to breath air that is hopefully cleaner than air today (and certainly not significantly worse). I want a better life for my kids (just like anyone does) and that includes leaving them a better planet, etc.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Apr 6, 2016 -> 09:10 PM) Bassitt isn't that good. He'll go the way of David Holmberg, Dan Hudson, Clayton Richards, Fautino De Los Santos, Aaron Poreda, and all of the "mistakes" we have made trading away pitchers. And all you need to do is look at the of our rotation to know that we need a pitcher back there. Samardjiza flopping just showed how important that spot was. Dan Hudson was a good pitcher who got hurt. Clayton Richards, while not great, is a serviceable arm, and has won 50 games in his career with a career ERA of 4.30, including two seasons where he pitched over 200 innings with an ERA under 4 (albeit in San Diego). Poreda wasn't a top prospect when we dealt him and Holmberg & Santos (injury) were young and still quite a ways from the majors so you figure busts will happen. Gio Gonzalez should probably be included on this list (from the 2nd time he was traded) as he was the best pitcher we ever gave up and we were completely robbed when we gave him up for Nick Swisher. Holmberg and other should not get lumped in with Bassitt, who in 25 major league starts has a career ERA of 3.79. This included 18 games (13 starts last year) where he gave up less hits than innings pitched and had a very respectable WHIP of 1.25 while striking out just over 6 guys per nine innings. He has good velocity (getting into the mid 90's) and has a pretty dominant curve ball and is a better pitcher today than two pitchers in the White Sox rotation (John Danks & Matt Latos). Bassit will not be an ace, but he will be a solid cost-controlled middle of the rotation starter and that is a very valuable commodity. All this said, Sox have done a good job developing this cost-controlled middle to back of the rotation guys.

I was going to give a brief update on my hybrid Sonata I bought a few months ago and just say that I absolutely love it. Very quiet, drives smooth, love the tech inside (wish I would have gotten the full tech package which would have included the full radar system vs. just the side mirror...damn them for making me buy navy plus other stuff I didn't want to get it) and just as importantly now feel spoiled. Have only filled up 3 times (today being the 3rd time) since getting in mid January and have just under 2100 miles on the car....averaging in the mid 40's in MPG and getting roughly 700 miles per 15 gallon tank.

I'm a big believer in getting us to live more carbon neutral lives, although, I still point out that we as American's can only do so much, but I still believe we have a responsibility. Jesus, I think I'm turning into a liberal hippy. I thought when you made more money and aged the opposite was supposed to happen. That said, it can't be pie in the sky and it has to grade in over time, but it is important. No, we are not the only reason the earth is getting hotter, but I find it apalling that people don't think that humans play some form / factor. Common sense tells me spewing more chemicals and Co2 into the air can't possibly be a good thing. I like Jerry Brown though. California has plenty of issues still, but there have been a few decisions made where the government took the long (vs. the short) and I like that train of thought. That said, while it is nice that CA is doing all these things around solar / wind, the whole thing has been relatively botched and there is a lot of negative press regarding useage, etc. New technology related to storage, etc, has to come around to truly make these systems more effective and actually beneficial. Recently all the gov has done around this stuff is bailed out big investors / conglomerates (including Google) in some of these projects.

QUOTE (Alexeihyeess @ Apr 6, 2016 -> 05:13 PM) What shocks me about this is how few players in the majors are actually drafted. Well you have to remember all of the foreign players are signed. I think the actual amount of undrafted american born players is pretty small (or I would imagine that is the case).

QUOTE (greg775 @ Apr 6, 2016 -> 04:11 PM) The man is on fire of late, has won six of seven primaries and gets no press. It's cause the media doesn't want New York to get any ideas and vote for him. I just don't understand why the media prefers one candidate so much, especially somebody as blah (at best, IMO) as Hillary Clinton. Our country can do so much better. At least be fair and give Bernie his props for kicking her ass of late in the primaries/caucuses. Asked about Bernie, Geraldo Rivera laughed and said, "He'll find out in New York what people think of him." It's just B.S. If somehow he wins New York, than everyone will talk about him. I don't think it will happen though.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Apr 6, 2016 -> 04:13 PM) Chisoxfn can you explain the country's dis-interest in Kasich. The Republicans IMO should be rallying around this guy. Why can't a guy as impressive as Kasich get any steam??? Its a primary. You are only comparing yourself to other republics and only other members of the party (largely) are voting and given Cruz' religious background, he's going to appeal to certain groups no matter what (just like Santorum and Huckabee of recent years) and ultimately you end up nominating a person who is far more to the right vs. someone who more of the general public gets. There are a lot of people who clearly agree with the far right principals and hence have gotten behind Cruz and than the Trump movement is just something else. There doesn't seem to be a ton of moderate republicans, especially in this new era where so many people are pissed off so they are either going ultra extreme in the form of Cruz (who is an extreme moderate) or total wildcard in Trump. I will say, Kasich isn't super charismatic either, which from a perception doesn't help. I personally like his "aw schucks" approach and appreciate his track record, more moderate positions, etc. I think to make America great we need to work with the various parties. I think the whole concept of freezing out a vote is absurd and this entire political inactivity is disgusting and awful for our country.

QUOTE (chitownsportsfan @ Apr 6, 2016 -> 03:25 PM) Lucky you. Literally has not worked for more than 5 minutes for me since opening day. It worked all day Sunday zero problems for all the games I don't GAF about. I'm an IT guy I've tried many things and it just either lags out or is so descyned with the audio (audio is ahead by a good 5 seconds) that it ruins watching. Have been watching on my desktop, which has a nice 27" monitor, but would prefer to be able to watch it on the couch in the living room at times. Hoping it works tonight. Is it due to choppy internet connection / broadband? Mine is full HD although there the ocassional pauses that drive me nuts, but that is because I have crappy internet that is spotty from time to time. Overall it worked far better than prior years. When I cut the cord finally this June, I'll upgrade my broadband a bit (presuming there will be a special around that time to get some higher speeds). Gigabit is coming...which I don't need, but google is also coming eventually and that should drive down prices

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Apr 6, 2016 -> 02:37 PM) What? Really? I believe it. A's have Semien, Phegley, and Bassit all up. Dodgers have Trayce. Lot of guys have went elsewhere. We haven't found many stars, but we've found a lot of serviceable players. Plus you have our existing players as well.

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Apr 6, 2016 -> 02:26 PM) Samardzija's first start for the Giants went much better than his first start for the Sox last year so technically it's a step in the right direction for Samardzija. I think the Sox did dodge a bullet but today's start wasn't all that bad either. I also should point out, I agree, given our resources, that we should not have given that contract to Shark. I am just saying I think of all the FA deals handed out, it won't go down as a bad deal, rather a pretty fair one that will work out solidly for the Giants. I'm not saying he's going to out pitch his contract by a massive amount, but I don't see him severely under pitching it or anything like that and in general think they'll get there money's worth (considering what FA pitchers go for).

QUOTE (chw42 @ Apr 6, 2016 -> 01:37 PM) After watching Bassitt throw 96 last night, I'm even saltier about that trade. Sounded great at the time though. He looks like he has potential to be a pretty solid player.

QUOTE (Dunt @ Apr 6, 2016 -> 01:09 PM) 8 hits and 3 BB's in 5.1 IP against one of the worst teams in baseball is solid? It was one game and it certainly wasn't some 10 run route like was made out to be. If after two month's he has an ERA > 5, sure, but either way, the guy was here for a year and didn't work out. Oh well, doesn't need a seperate thread. Plenty of guys stink all the time. It one freaking game. Is Zach Greinke the biggest bum ever because he had an awful opener? What about Clayton Kershaw who was lousy for the first month and a half last year before dominating the planet again. Please note that I am not comparing Shark to either of them, but I'm not going to reach any conclusion on Shark's contract being awful because of one freaking game (unless he got hurt and was going to be out the next two years or something).

I still am of the belief that it will be a good deal by all accounts for the Giants and his final line was more than solid. Talk about overreaction here.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Apr 6, 2016 -> 09:56 AM) No, no it was not. He reached out and swept his hand under the fielders leg as he was throwing. Citing the slide rule was wrong, that was interference. It is consistent with how I was taught to play the game and I fully think it is a solid play. It isn't as if the Rays were up in arms in protest either about it. They just figured, what the hell, why not. I'll give you that he probably shouldn't have reached out, but I like this style of play.

Is anyone else amazed by how many 3's Mirotic is attempting since coming back. He's actually made them, but literally it is the only part of his game. If there is on bright side, he is playing a heck of a lot better than he did before his injury (as he's at least making this at a higher percentage) so maybe he's improving his trade value, but I just don't see how he's a valuable player given his poor defense and fact that he isn't Steph Curry from three. Averaging 9 threes per game over the last 5, albeit he's shot an okay percentage. Still, lack of defense on the other end of the court and really a lot of his shots (kind of like Aaron Brooks) are not in any context of this offense (than again, I don't even know what the hell offense the Bulls are running). Such a horrifically coached / performing unit.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Apr 5, 2016 -> 10:47 PM) Stupid move by Bautista. His slide was clean, but he hooked the 2B as he went by him. The rule is stupid as far as I'm concerned and there was no injury risk. All we are doing is adding yet another thing to use replay for (which I personally hate in baseball). Unless it can be pretty much instant (like tennis does with in / out or in baseball's case fair / foul), I just find it all absurd. I'm a big believer in the fact that over 162, things will even out and I'd only have replay in the playoffs, where one call can have a much bigger impact on a series given the smaller sample size of the series. Game is already slow, we shouldn't be wasting time on replay in the regular season and while I think they should minimize true take out slides, going in hard and doing what Bautista did was a totally clean play. I realize people don't like subjective rules, but the rule should have been more subjective. You do what Utley did, rule it an out, but allow guys to go hard into the bag (without really doing much to take a guy out) should be clean and it shouldn't be reviewable, imo. Every freaking close play at 2nd base will get reviewed because some minor technicality can get it overturned. Its freaking awful. And yes, I still hate the rule change they did for catchers too.

Loving these late games (7Pm West coast time is late by my standards since normally games are on at 5, haha). Get home, put kids to sleep, fire up game, and work a bit more with the game on.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Apr 6, 2016 -> 07:13 AM) Well, a big part of it is just that he has a very low level of trust in Hillary. Another big part of it is that the far right Republicans are singling out a couple of Kasich's positions (accepted Medicaid expansion in Ohio, said he accepts the SC gay marriage ruling as the law) and are trying to paint him as a liberal. They're inadvertently turning some liberals on to Kasich. I believe Hillary's polls all show that the american people have a high degree of distrust in her. Very few exceptions thus far in the primaries. Now that is when put against Bernie who comes off as a relatively trustworthy individual so it isn't out of the norm for people to feel that way about Hillary.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Apr 5, 2016 -> 10:45 PM) No way they beat SA both games. They had their chance. All they had to do was take care of business at home against much more inferior competition. Ah hell, now they are going to get the record. Pop is going to sit his guys both games and GS will win out.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Apr 5, 2016 -> 04:56 PM) What does this nonsense even mean, the guy isn't even in SECOND in his own party. You think if he got the nomination all the sudden this wave of support would come out and give him the White House? You should stick to your Chelsea Clinton thoughts Whether people ultimately would get behind him or not, I do not know, but polls support Greg's statement. He beats Hillary in every poll I've seen (could be one or two out there that I'm not aware of where he doesn't by some slim margin).

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Apr 5, 2016 -> 01:42 PM) http://www.addictinginfo.org/2016/04/04/wa...gnorance-video/ He sounds like me, lol. The summary doesn't do justice to the actual clip of Ben Stein (who I happen to like a lot).

QUOTE (JoshPR @ Apr 5, 2016 -> 01:40 PM) Yeah i got ps3 and ps4. Thanks jason. It will make the season go by nicely. Even tho i buy the radio feed for 3 bucks a month. Watching will be nice As an FYI, you could cancel the radio feed as well. The TV version also includes the radio feeds.

QUOTE (JoshPR @ Apr 5, 2016 -> 01:24 PM) Sweet!!!! Yeah you sign up on the tmobile phone. I used my wifes. Im watching red sox - indians on my galaxy on my home wifi. Once you create the account you can use it anywhere on wifi or not. If you pick up a chromecast or anything else that streams (Apple TV, Fire, PS3, etc) and has MLB.tv app, you can than throw it up on your big screen.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Apr 5, 2016 -> 12:18 PM) I dont doubt that he talks down to us laymen on twitter, but I have heard him admit he has been wrong. Thats all i am saying I have too, I also agree that he can be smug and look down on people who don't do it for a living, but I also get Kyle's point that quite frankly, there is a reason these people do it for a living. I laugh at all the people who watch a few games and think they are prognosticators (that said, its fun for us to all talk about it). I am sure if any of us sat down and watched film with Gabriel, he'd identify 100 things more than we would identify when watching the exact same footage. Whether it ultimately leads to him coming up with the better answer, who knows, but it certainly should improve his probability and ability and it is why he reached a pretty high peak in his professional career. This isn't some failed scout. This is a guy who knows a heck of a lot more than the Kipers of the world, imo.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Apr 5, 2016 -> 12:07 PM) i disagree with this, he was on B&B this past season and they had him research names that he thought were going to be stars and were misses, and he came back the next week with a good long list. He does hold his opinion in high regard, but you have to imagine that it is an inherent trait in a good scout, to have a big ego about what they do. My only fault with him is he really feels that the intangibles are more important than measurables. I tend to agree with you, that said intangibles are more important at certain positions. For example, I think intangibles and ability to read and react to a defense are a lot more important than measurables when it comes to QB. A QB has to do certain things to be able to succeed (i.e., I could be the smartest person at reading a defense on the planet but my noodle arm can't possibly make the throws to actually execute). But how often are the most physically gifted QB's the best actual QB's, not near as often as we think. Of course QB tends to be the one position I feel that way. I view intangibles as potential reasons not to draft a player vs. reasons to draft a player (i.e., the downside of intangibles keeps you away from a guy vs. the "upside" which I feel is just gravy). No one would ever say that Tom Brady, Drew Brees or Peyton Manning were ever the most physically impressive QB's in the league, but they over the past 15 years, they were arguably the most successful. On the flipside, Kyle Boller, Matthew Stafford, Jay Cutler, Jeff George, etc were absolute physical specimen (even someone like Kaep is physically extremely gifted as it comes to QB's). Some exceptions to this rule are Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre, who clearly were amongst the most physically gifted and best QB's in the league (and Cam can join that group if he continues to do what he's done lately). That said, what sets the best QB's apart is there ability to read defenses, make quick decisions, and throw accurately (which is a physical skill). As long as they have "enough" arm, they will be fine. But the read defenses and make quick decisions are critical and even the throw accurately is followed by throw to the right spot (so not only making the right decision on who to throw to but where to throw to them based upon the coverage, etc). Hell, when you look at Brady, Brees and even Rodgers, they all got significantly better between college and the pro's.