jackie hayes

QUOTE(SleepyWhiteSox @ Feb 22, 2006 -> 11:02 PM) But yeah, even a below-average NBA fan knows how horribly stupid the knicks' moves are. :headshake That would be me. And yes, I do.

QUOTE(ZoomSlowik @ Feb 21, 2006 -> 06:28 PM) Somewhat. Justin Morneau got so much hype last year he wasn't really a sleeper anymore, and the same is true with Felix Hernandez and Ryan Howard this year. However, typically there is enough difference of opinion on a player that they don't shoot up the draft board just by someone mentioning them as a potential sleeper. Duke, too. I'll throw out the Orioles pitching staff. So bad for so long, and EVERYONE'S hating on the O's in the preseason -- but there is some raw talent there. And just look at what Leo Mazzone could do w/ garbage.

Is this such a difficult decision? Brees got hurt badly enough that SD isn't sure. There's no reason we should bet the farm on his health, give him a huge contract and trade Rex. But if teams are frightened off enough that his price falls far from his healthy value, who wouldn't take a flyer on Drew Brees? But it's a pipe dream. Brees will either be resigned or signed to a huge deal by a team more desperate than us.

It's a controversial move, but it's not that hard to figure out what they're thinking. Lewis obviously had much more talent than CT, maybe it's still there. Taylor didn't look as good towards the end of the season, and he'll command a multiyear deal, while with Lewis it's a one year, put-up-or-shut-up deal. I'm not advocating (I'm on the fence on this one), just saying that there are some good reasons.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Feb 21, 2006 -> 04:49 PM) There's a couple, like Carson Palmer's backup John Kitna or potentially Chad Pennington, who could do some good work in the right circumstances, but Brees is basically head and shoulders above all of them, if he's healthy enough to play. There's a couple decent ones who might show up on the trade market also, like Vick's backup Matt Schaub or Culpepper...but I think the odds right now say that if you want an actual quality starting QB, your best bet is the draft unless you get Brees. You won't get Schaub unless you're willing to give up a very high pick. He's too important as a backup, especially when you're starting with a running qb.

I'm done w/ the topic. But I can't pass up the humor.

Just pointing it out, I wasn't saying anything new. It wasn't taken out of context at all. The whole thing is above, for anyone who wants to read it. Judge for yrselves.

QUOTE(southsideirish @ Feb 20, 2006 -> 07:18 PM) ...an American...would have such a boyhood hero as Dale Murphy or Cal Ripken...That is generally true. ... That is all American kids know. Most don't care about nationality unless they are taught to.

QUOTE(southsideirish @ Feb 20, 2006 -> 03:57 PM) I do? Ok, where did I state this? So he donated to the victims there once as far as you know? Ok, He donates every year to American foundations including a foundation that he set up himself in Miami. It is? Just dumb? Albert Pujols plays for an American organization and that is what most kids know. They don't know his nationality or heritage. Most Dominican kids that grow up in the Dominican have Americans as their boyhood idols? I would doubt this very much. I would think most Dominican's growing up, around A-Rod's age, would have idolized Juan Marichal, Felipe Alou, Cesar Cedeno, or possibly Ozzie Virgil. Kids that consider themselves American's would have American boyhood idols like A-Rod did. For example Alfredo Griffin was Tejada's boyhood idol. A-Rod had 2, both Americans. One is Dale Murhpy, which is why he wear the number 3, and the other was Cal Ripken Jr. Now you are comparing Harold Baines and wanting to be Black in this argument? This is the by far the dumbest thing I have ever heard and I have heard a lot. You are going to bring race into this argument when it has nothing to do with it? I loved Harold Baines as a child. His stance was awesome and fun to imitate. Harold Baines, as far as I know is an American and played for an American organization. In fact I know he is because I read all about him when I was younger. I read how Bill Veeck first saw him when he was playing little league around Baltimore, MD. Being dominican is not a race, it is a nationality. I never said ARod isn't Hispanic did I? No I didn't. I also never said that he wanted to be something that he isn't. He is an American. He has a Dominican citizenship too, yes, but he is an American. He did play for the Junior American team didn't he? If he always felt like he was a Dominican then why didn't he play for the Dominican Junior National team? They had a team when he was in high school. They wouldn't have wanted him? Was he not considered Dominican to them back then? Just asking. Okay, I won't let this slip. Yes, he donates to causes in BOTH countries. Whoa... Maybe he didn't idolize those players because their careers were f***ing over when he was learning to play, for one thing. I can't think of many things that would surprise me less than a good hitting ss idolizing one of the best ss of his childhood, especially when it's another good hitter, something relatively rare at the ss position. But if you believe that all Latinos are blind to everything but nationality, and care more about players they've never even seen play, be my guest. And yes, the Harold Baines thing is stupid. That was the whole point. Race and nationality are equally irrelevant on the field. I knew damn well that Ozzie and Joaquin Andujar were not American, but they were still among the players I loved. "Kids that consider themselves American's would have American boyhood idols" maybe applies to you, but you're flat wrong if you think it's generally true. The fact is, he had a hard time deciding. And yet you continue to claim that it was an easy decision. This is a goddam farce. Okay, I'm really done now. Say whatever you like, but I'm not answering any more questions.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Feb 17, 2006 -> 06:52 AM) Richard Cohen, one of the left-leaning columnists for the Washington Post. I'll use Prof. Myers on this one. That's a great read, thanks for posting it. Though I'm not sure what it has to do particularly w/ Dems...

Statistics are the devil's work! Seriously, though, how did you treat young players? Does a pitcher who was only up for a month at the end only count for those end-of-season runs? It will be pretty damn funny if the Nationals finish below the Marlins. And I wouldn't totally discount that.

Clemens threw nothing but high fastballs. Don't minimize Sammy's abilities -- he had a million different ways of striking out.

In case you haven't heard. First thing I did, I made sure it wasn't April 1. This is good stuff. It's gotta be. Here's a taste: Just when you think it's all laughed out, you get to the next paragraph. When you see someone who's so completely gone, it reminds you that you have to live each day of your dispensation to the fullest.

QUOTE(southsideirish @ Feb 18, 2006 -> 07:22 PM) He never mentions a boyhood idol from the Dominican does he? If he loved that country so much you think he would mention a boyhood idol from the Dominican as well. I mean he was there from the age of 4-8. That is such an impressionable age. But there is not one mention of one. Hmmmm......... You believe he does contribute to the Dominincan Republic or does he actually? I know for a fact he gives a lot more to charities in Miami and New York than he does to the Dominican Republic. The moral high ground? OK..... You know for a fact that the parents felt like it was a better opportunity to go back to the Dominican? Who knows why they chose to go back. Maybe it wasn't a choice at all, perhaps they were forced back. You don't know that for certain so don't make false observations. Who said that their heart was tied to economics. A better life and a better future does not mean just economically. Yes, I know for a fact that he has contributed to Dominican causes. In particular, after the flood a couple years ago. But you seem to have the itemized breakdown of his finances, so why don't you let us know? The Cal Ripken stuff is just dumb. A lot of American kids idolize Albert Pujols. It doesn't mean they don't care about their country. Christ... Some of my friends idolized Harold Baines. I guess they wanted to be black. The last part is just funny. They come to the US, obviously it's because the opportunities are better. They leave the US, they probably were forced. What happened is that his father felt that he had earned enough money in NY to be able to return to the DR and live comfortably. They wanted to go back to the DR. The Dominican economy went south in the 80s, otherwise they would probably have stayed. I'm done with this. Noone's pissed about Mulder and Haren being on the Netherlands team, but everyone is yelling to the sky that a guy like this, who's a DUAL CITIZEN ANYWAY, thought about playing for the Dominican team. The guy has NOTHING to gain by dithering as he has. Hang up the fake outrage. Edit: Haren's not playing, I was wrong about that. But I think Mulder is. PPS: N/m, I guess Mulder withdrew from the tournament. At least, there's some article in the Rocky Mountain News indicating that.

Boy, do we know.

QUOTE(Drew @ Feb 17, 2006 -> 10:54 PM) Obviously I did not correctly word that post. However, my point stands. Would this be the point that you knew all along that he was going to play with the Dominican team? That point? Oh, yeah, you're clearly an expert.

QUOTE(southsideirish @ Feb 17, 2006 -> 08:34 PM) I really have no idea what you mean by your second paragraph. Primary loyalty to their first country? Their first country meaning what? Their country they were born in? The country they lived in their entire life? The country they lived in until they were four? The country they moved back to when they were 8? Or is their first country mean the country they lived in from a period of time when they were 4 years old until they were 8 years old? I was talking about the parents. QUOTE(southsideirish @ Feb 17, 2006 -> 08:34 PM) The fact is A-Rod lived in the Dominican for 4 years. He does not do anything for the Dominican Republic. He played on the Junior US Olympic team. He started playing organized baseball here. He donates a lot of money to American charities. His boyhood hero is an American named Cal Ripken Jr. Good for him. I believe he's also given money to Dominican charities, and it's odd that he bothers to hold dual citizenship given such apathy for the country. What the f*** does Cal Ripken have to do with anything? QUOTE(southsideirish @ Feb 17, 2006 -> 08:34 PM) He is an American, just as I am. He is also Dominican, just as I am Irish. And before you start asking about comparisons, yes my Parents were born in Ireland, were married there, and moved here. I would much rather play and represent the United States than Ireland. I have a lot of respect for the Irish culture and heritage, but this is where I was born. This is my country. This is where my parents wanted to be and wanted to raise me. This is where they felt, as a family, we would have a greater future. I would much rather represent the United States and honor the United States for those opportunities that I would most likely would have never had in Ireland. I feel A-Rod should do the same. He can be proud of his culture and heritage, but he should also realize that his parents obviously wanted him to be in this country and not the Dominican. They did what was best for their family. This country gave him and his parents a greater opportunity. Good for you. I wasn't asking about comparisons, because I don't care who you'd play for. Someone feels differently, more ambivalent -- what gives you the moral high ground? They felt it was a better opportunity, then it wasn't, then it was again. It was an economic choice. I don't see why your heart should be tied to your wage.

QUOTE(southsideirish @ Feb 17, 2006 -> 05:01 PM) Could any of those players make the United States team? Mulder maybe, but he would have a hard time making it. At least he was born in South Holland and is playing for Holland (the Netherlands). Living in a Dominican community in the United States is not the same as living in the Dominican Republic. I am not sure what your point is by stating that. Like the people living in Chinatown that were born here and have never been to China have any idea what it is like to live in China, right? He only spent 4 years in the Dominican, from the ages of 4 - 8. He was born in New York and lived there until he was 4, moved to the Dominican, came back to the states and stayed in Miami. Yes, he started playing baseball real young, so it just so happened to be in the Dominican. However from the age of 8, when mini mite little league starts, on up he played in the states. He is an American. Nomar is an American. Yeah, ARod's American. He's also Dominican. That's kinda what dual citizenship means. It's not like he heard there was going to be a WBC and ran out and got his Dominican citizenship. It's hilarious that some people think ARod of the quarter billion dollar contract, NYY savior, saw this crappy little tournament that half the players are opting out of and said, Boy, now here's a chance for some big publicity! And the best way to do it is to join the lineup that's already loaded with stars! What a joke. And, to clarify, I think there are many people in ethnic areas that love the US and wouldn't put anything above it. And I think there are also a lot of people who live in the US, are appreciative of the opportunities, but still have primary loyalty to their first country. And growing up in that area, with people coming back and forth between the US and some other place, with little or no English heard anywhere and all the news from overseas, along with all the extended family, may lead someone to think of him/herself as Dominican, or Chinese, or what have you. That seems pretty natural, and I don't have any problem with it. How long before this gets moved?...

QUOTE(Drew @ Feb 17, 2006 -> 10:34 AM) Not entirely. I for one thought that A-Rod's flip-flopping over who to play for if at all was total media posturing. The guy is a damn moth, he gets off on this sort of thing. If you don't if you want to play or who to play for, say you're still deciding. Don't make a decision, re-nig, beg off, and then change position. In the end I knew he'd side with the Dominicans, but as a dual citizen it's his prerogative. But don't try and tell me that he changed his mind because it's honoring his parents. Bulls***. He'd rather play with all the star power that the Dominicans have. And if the Americans had Guerrero, Ortiz, Martinez, Tejada, and all the rest you better believe that he'd want to honor his homeland by playing for the Americans. He's a spineless piece of s*** is what he is. If you want to go where the money is, just say so. If you think the grass is greener in the Bronx and what you want is a World Series ring, then just say so. Don't feed us a fabricaated web of bulls*** so you can come out smelling like a rose after your trip up the moral high road. The only thing I won't take away from him is that he's a hell of a ballplayer, although David Ortiz IMO was more valuable to the Red Sox than A-Rod to the Yankees during the '05 campaign. Oh, yes, clearly you are very perceptive.

Plus the Eagles will need a new gm.

Jesus F Christ... Yes, it was totally an accident, and there was no coverup. As I understand it, there is no requirement in Texas to report any nonfatal hunting accident. Personally, I don't give a f*** if Cheney had a beer hours before, it's not gonna make a difference unless he's a petite blonde. Tucker Carlson is just as much a nitwit when criticizing Republicans. And yes, it is a big story, b/c it's SO f***ING FUNNY. Not just that the veep shot someone, but that THIS veep, this oh so outdoorsy, guns-are-safe veep committed the #1 cardinal sin of hunting, is just f***ing hilarious. A story for a day? Lord, no. When in doubt, follow Jon Stewart. Stop being such goddam buzzkills, all of you.

If Ozzie really wants to b****, he could complain about the real jokes of the WBC, like Mark Mulder and Dan Haren being listed for the Netherlands, or Piazza being listed for Italy. (I mean, Mulder was born in South Holland, after all...) Ripping on a guy who lived his whole life in a Dominican community, lived for a long time in DR, and holds (I believe) dual citizenship is ridiculous.

QUOTE(WHarris1 @ Feb 17, 2006 -> 01:15 AM) No one is talking bad about ARod's playing ability............. Well, they are saying that he can't win, which would mean they wouldn't want him on the Sox, right?

QUOTE(G&T @ Feb 16, 2006 -> 08:21 PM) It's possible that Ozzie actually is speaking on behalf of the greater Latino community. He did just come back from the Carribean and immediately he's saying this stuff. Maybe these people really don't want posers on their teams. Ozzie always seems to have a reason for what he says and does. If you think Dominicans aren't proud of ARod and others born in the NY Dominican community, you're delusional.

QUOTE(Jordan4life_2006 @ Feb 16, 2006 -> 12:07 AM) I remember we were projected to take Wade. The Heat actually surprised a lot of people taking him 5th. "Waits for Cuck the Fubs to say we're better off with Hinrich." Yup, that's the . Everytime I see Heat highlights, I find myself shaking my head at the damn luck.