Chisoxfn

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Aug 19, 2015 -> 09:24 AM) I would also generally agree with that statement that I will not feel bad for him. I do, however, feel embarrassed if and when our country allows it to happen, and the fact that it's such a common joke really makes me sick to my stomach. Fair enough? Serious question...is it more a common joke because people think it is funny and just presume that is what happens in prison, or does it really happen to the extent people joke about (because of what they've seen dramatized on tv)? Maybe this is a dumb question but I've never looked into it and I don't know anyone who any time in jail (outside of the drunk tank).

QUOTE (iamshack @ Aug 19, 2015 -> 09:18 AM) I still fail to see how the past offseason created inflexibility in regards to the framework of this team over the next few years. The whole purpose of the direction they took was to balance today with tomorrow. While I was not a fan of the LaRoche signing, it won't cripple us. The other deals are not blocking anyone who's knocking down the door at Charlotte, with the possible exception of Johnson, who can be brought up in less than 2 weeks. I just can't understand why the fact that they took a shot on '15 and missed has some devastating consequences for '16 and '17. Good post Shack. We see eye to eye on this.

The time is right for Hahn to get his shot and for Kenny to move elsewhere.

Great job Will. I especially enjoyed the insights from Tago and Danish. I wasn't aware Danish had made some adjustments to his delivery. Whether Danish succeeds or not, he said all of the right things and mentally seems like he has what it takes (purely based upon that conversation...that sounded like a guy who "gets" it). Tago is a fascinating story and a guy that I think can be a key piece for this bullpen long-term. Excited about Anderson's continued development, especially on the defensive side of the field.

QUOTE (Brian @ Aug 18, 2015 -> 03:56 PM) What a heal. That's what my wife said last night

QUOTE (Brian @ Aug 18, 2015 -> 03:56 PM) What a heal. That's what my wife said last night

I'll be their.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Aug 18, 2015 -> 03:09 PM) What it means is that by being allowed to own guns you could stand up to the govt if they tried to restrict your speech. I guess the 14th got lost somewhere. The above is about the only reason I'd ever own a gun (that I can think of). I've thought about buying some and locking them away purely for that very reason (yeah...call me weird). The fact that the registrations, etc, exist, kind of suck though (good in one way, but bad in the way that again, if the govt wanted to...they'd know exactly who has them and how to get them).

QUOTE (Brian @ Aug 18, 2015 -> 12:37 PM) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heel_(profe...onal_wrestling) That is not webster's dictionary. I am curious who in the WCW came up with the term "heel" in the first place. Essentially inventing a word vs. using an already existing word. Why not just use the word Villain or something. Note: Looks like it was a take on a slang term used in the roaring 20's.

QUOTE (knightni @ Aug 18, 2015 -> 11:59 AM) A shoe/foot "heel" is the correct spelling for a bad guy. "Heal" is just, to make well. Why is a heel a bad guy? How did they come up with this nonsense? What do wrestling fans know about the english language? Obviously more then me. Seriously though, who came up with the fact that a heel is a bad guy? I understand it means Tyrant but I don't think the heels in wrestling are necessarily tyrants.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Aug 18, 2015 -> 11:49 AM) So those with kids.....how have you handled the airport situation? We're flying to Orlando (I found super cheap flights...$288 total for 3 of us). And we're renting a car. Doesn't look like a need to use the car seat on the plane (my son's just over 40lbs), but he will need his car seat for the rental car. Do you guys check the car seat? Carry it on? Gate check it? Or just rent one and not deal with the hassle? I see online a lot of people don't check the car seat at the front desk because of the risk of damage or the risk of it not showing up. I'm thinking I'll gate check it, but I've never gate checked anything before. Do you pick it up right after you get off the plane? Or does it show up at the baggage carousel? I'm entering into a new world here... I would think you'd just rent one (no idea what it costs). I absolutely wouldn't put one through baggage claim cause you can't control the damage that might have happened. Then again, not sure how you can control from a rental car either, but I presume they have good controls in place regarding the car seats. Plus, with everything you are already going to be hauling, probably worth it just to rent the seat. Regarding gate checking, unless it differs from previous times I've gate checked, you pick your bag up through baggage claim (unless you are flying a small plane and then you wait in front of your plane). Totally understand your scenario and I'll be making a similar post when I venture the airport with the little one.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Aug 18, 2015 -> 11:34 AM) NOW HE HEALS PEOPLE TOO??!??! Isn't a "heel" a make believe word? How do I know how rrrestling came up with it and whether they meant for it to be heel (as in the heel of your foot) or heal.

LBJ is twice the human Jordan ever was. On the court, MJ > James (skill-sets different though) but Lebron, who I rooted against like no other in Miami (and will do so again with Cleveland) has handled his fame very well and learned from his mistakes. Not to mention, his mistakes were not anything that actually negatively hurt people (just a PR fiasco). LBJ last season, with all the injuries to the Cavs, wasn't a heal, he was a lot like LBJ from the early Cavs teams, an incredible player trying to drive the underdog story. Next season though, with the healthy cast, I agree LBJ probably goes back a bit to being a "heal" but not near the "heal" he was during the Heat era and again, none if it takes away from this awesome and amazing gesture he made.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Aug 18, 2015 -> 10:09 AM) If he hits .050 the rest of the way does that prove he's a failure and can't handle it as a 4th OF? If he hits .500 does that prove he's 100% ready to go? I don't think either of those is the case. If he hits .500 from here to the end of the season, yes, I am okay handing him a starting job. If he hits .300 from here on out and you like the progress you see and he is as good as advertised defensively, then again, I am okay going that route. If he sucks, then we evaluate that when it happens, but for the time being, he should get a lot of at bats and experience this season.

QUOTE (Dunt @ Aug 18, 2015 -> 05:43 AM) In 16 ABs, Trayce has already been worth 0.5 WAR. His defense, along with the potential of his bat, should make him an every day start from here on out. Give some of the other OFs rest and rotate him at DH. Sample size.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Aug 18, 2015 -> 09:11 AM) Interesting. I always thought Coletti was at odds with their development staff. I thought I remember he and Logan White battling constantly as Coletti brought in overpriced veterans through FA. I had heard that was a lot to do about nothing. Coletti never really was a trade the farm away guy and he often times was criticized for not making the big move, but the guys he held onto tended to be pretty good. Logan White also deserves credit but Ned has a pretty good track record of success.

Interesting. For a long time they were the trendsetters when it came to international players. Heck, I still think they are. This probably has a lot more to do with Friedman and company wanting their own guys and their own philosophies. I've said it before and I'll say it again, if the club was going to go in another direction, I'd look right at former Dodgers GM Ned Coletti. Him and his team deserve a lot of credit for building a strong Dodger farm system and a lot of the current talent. Clearly the payroll helps. In fact, I think their are a group of Dodger fans that are growing fed up already with the current crew.

I probably should have said I judge him more by his bad seasons then his good seasons. He has had some seasons where he clearly has been better then Jay ever was, but by and large he had superior weapons. PS: I don't actually dislike Rivers, I just think they are guys who are relatively similar in terms of playoff track records, etc. Of course I'm also not a Jay hater and am no longer a Jay lover, but I still think you can win with Jay Cutler as your QB, so I don't think the Bears are in a spot like some franchises (say the Browns...where you have utter crap at QB).

Chargers just gave Jay Cutler...err Phil Rivers a ton of money. Amazing how everyone loves Phil and hates Jay, when they are essentially the same QB (not tools wise, but production wise). I will be delusional and hope that Jay and Phil play each other in the superbowl this year. Why...cause it would be fun

QUOTE (knightni @ Aug 17, 2015 -> 05:24 AM) McDonald or White? It seems to be a failure in free agent scouting, player character evaluation, and medical study of potential draft picks. Pace acted quickly and swiftly to dump McDonald and I was fine with the thought of a 2nd chance if you thought he was innocent. What health red flags existed on White? Dude got hurt...it happens. It sucks but it happens.

You know what I have a problem with...the government sector. And this is unfair and I realize many in the government sector took the jobs they did because of the benefits available, but it seems crazy to me when I pay the taxes I do and work in the private sector, yet, the public sector has benefits that people in the private sector could only dream of, and the reality is, the best thing for the economy is when private sector jobs grow (in my humble opinion). I know their is not a fair way of doing it and unions have gotten control of anything, but how about that as a real issue in this country. Cost of college tuition skyrockets every time lending on student loans get higher. Education doesn't improve and I don't know that teachers even necessarily get more...money just gets "poured" into new facilities that probably weren't necessary. What this government needs is a real shrewd like me who is overly stingy with money. Think of all the money that gets "spent" that never turns into anything. 10 billion dollar to study impacts of X / Y. If you could just cut government waste by a small percentage and adjust the entitlement program, we'd have quality programs for the poor and lower taxes. Of course you'd never get elected.

QUOTE (Brian @ Aug 14, 2015 -> 01:53 PM) Definitely. They're the reason I think the Bears could get to 8-8 at least. I still don't think so, but I'd rather go in with low expectations and get surprised (vs. what happened last year).

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Aug 14, 2015 -> 01:51 PM) I somewhat agree. I'd characterize it as leadership capabilities. Just like being the smartest guy in the room, it isn't a resume thing - but it is something you have to feel comfortable is there for someone in that role. The smartest people are often times (if not more often) not the best leaders. Leaders need to be smart, but not the smartest. They need to be able to listen, teach, empower others, and unify. What we need more then anything in a president right now, is someone who could help unify this country (vs. further break it apart). Easier said then done and in this current environment it might be impossible (where people are scared of repub's hanging out with democrats on capital hill and being friends with each other). It is what I like about the Ohio Governor. He seems to do what he thinks is right and that includes going against the party lines. Unfortunately, now, more then ever, it is more critical in the primaries to only do what the party line says and that is just stupid. Are we really to believe that one party gets things right 100% of the time. Come on, that is nonsenes. No one has all the answers and the sooner people come to some realization, the better. Then they'll realize it makes sense to have more moderate people (left and right leaning) who will do what they think is right (and also what the people think is right) vs. what their party tells them to do. I am largely fiscal conservative and the way the parties are splitting, now more then ever, their is a need for a 3rd party in the middle.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Aug 14, 2015 -> 01:19 PM) If you're picking candidates based on their demeanor and not based on any time actually spent learning about their policy proposals then you're part of the problem. Reality is neither Hillary or Trump know anything about what it is like to be a normal person, so if you go by that metric, neither of them would exactly be fits. If you want to find someone who has risen and succeeded and lived the American Dream, you have to look in the direction of Rubio or Kasich (sp?) or on the democrat side, I suppose Biden / Sanders would fit the bill (Biden's family was well off, then not so much) and Sanders grew up in NY (and I think his grandparents had been killed during the holocaust).

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Aug 14, 2015 -> 01:00 PM) The market will not insure my spouse unless they are forced to do so. He mentioned health savings accounts, a favorite of "market" driven health care, and they're useless to me because of pre-existing conditions. Literally impossible to put enough funds into an HSA to pay for insurance when insurers won't insure you unless you're on a group plan. That's the whole point. So a revised form of the HSA? HSA isn't their to pay for insurance, HSA is their to pay premiums / out of pocket medical costs in excess of what your insurance pays. That said, as you know, I do not support any plan which repeals the ACA without at least ensuring that people with pre-existing conditions and really all people who can't afford it, can get medical care. If their is a better way, fine (and I'm not smart enough to know...so I won't pretend to) but any plan to go back to the old system and leaving people with pre-existing conditions stuck (and people who can't afford it) isn't acceptable in my book.