ptatc

No kidding. My grading is getting done a lot slower than it should. When the students complain I can blame it on baseball, I'm sure they'll understand.

You do realize that those two pitches have different spin rates on purpose? It's not that one is a low spin rate guy. If you throw a sinker, you want a low spin rate for the drop, hence you hold two seams of the ball. If you want the ball to maintain its path and not move, you hold 4 seams to increase the spin rate. It's not about the spin rate in a vacuum. It's about how much you want the ball to move.

It's the game that needs to be played since the teams can't talk to one another without the threat of collusion.

I agree it's starting to be all consuming. I guess it's a good thing the semester just ended. I've got nothing but time now.

I'm not saying anything other than he will be known for winning those championships. That's a great run for any organization in any sport. That will be part of his legacy not just that he single handedly caused the next ice age because they don't sign Harper.

That's what he said but he also said that it is the only thing thing that JR would be known for. Implying that the NBA championships mean nothing because he lucked into Jordan. Even if they did luck into Jordan, part of JR legacy will be 6 championships. No matter what happens with this free agent decision that will either end world hunger or cause an extinction level event, articles will be written about how JR is the most successful owner in Chicago sports history with 7 championships when his time on earth is done.

That's some serious acrimony toward management when you blame them eventhough they offer the most money, which you've always insisted is the only reason a player signs anywhere. It's fairly well documented how closely he is tied to the Cubs and none if the reasons have anything to do with Sox manageme.

I would have no issues if the Cubs got Harper (with the Sox offering more money) and the Sox got Machado. That would probably be the Sox getting the better situation overall. Spend less money on the player that's probably a better fit for them.

You have to have some serious pessimism and depression to consider 6 NBA championships luck. People are going far too overboard on this one signing or lack thereof.

In baseball, even the stars typically take at least 2-3 years in the minors. So that star won't be in Chicago until 2022

Depends on the contract. There is a point where he isn't worth it. I'm not sure what that is so we'll need to see what it is.

I was being slightly facetious.

In 6 years that will probably be the going rate for a 5th starter. Whatever Harper makes this contract, Trout will blow it away in 2 years,

Yes, that is what they would need to do to get it done early. Which is why he won't sign until January.

They are. And they never lie.

Still my favorite holiday cookie. They aren't around the rest of the year.

That just means they aren't signing both Harper and Machado. My Archway Cashew Noughat cookie told me. They never lie.

Never know. I could be the robot from the other thread or a demon here just to drive people nuts.?

It wasn't the toe. It's the metatarsal. It's the longer bone on the side of the foot leading up to the toe. It can end careers. The bone is very important for balance and support while cutting. Keith Byars (for us old people) broke his 3 times and they tried bone grafts and it never healed to the point he could p,at again.

Ralph Macchio, I am not. But I may have bargained a little of it away. Maybe my first born.

Prior to 2005 my comment was, "I just want them to win one world series before I die, just one." Because they had never won. Now my perspective has changed and I wonder if I will use the down escalator when I die because I want another one.

For so long? Let's get some perspective. It's only been 13 years since the WS championship. Prior to that it was 88 years. They made the playoffs once in the 80s and had a few good years in the 90s. In 2000 they made the playoffs and started a pretty good run. They have been bad recently but they told you it was coming and most people agreed it was the best way.

Of course. All players will have some local recognition. This prestige is small but still quantifiable. Harper is more national so the price will be more. It's all relative.

Correct. That is the price the team pays for long contracts. Also, I don't think Tulo had quite the same recognition off the field.

He is right. The player of his stature, will bring more money to the team as opposed to Ivan Nova. Why shouldn't Harper get a piece of it?