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QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Jun 22, 2017 -> 01:14 PM) Greg, how can you POSSIBLY hold this worldview having JUST witnessed the Cubs and Astros turn from total embarrassments into powerhouses by following this exact process? I'm not trying to be a jerk here, but do you literally only pay attention to the White Sox and Royals? Also, are you actually just angry that we "statniks" are trying to find a way to enjoy our team during this period? Is THAT what this is about? You are upset because we aren't acting miserable? Tell me that isn't it greg, because that is some of the most childish s*** I've ever heard. Powerhouse? The cubs are barely a .500 team. /green

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Jun 22, 2017 -> 01:10 PM) "Giving states more authority" means a fun race to the regulatory bottom (see: why all of your credit cards come from SD or Delaware) for large employers in multiple states and people living in a waiver state getting screwed, and block-granting Medicaid means massively cutting Medicaid. Different states have different medical issues to some extent, but it's not like some states don't actually have a need to cover pre-existing conditions or maternity or for insurers to make sure they spend a certain minimum percentage of premiums on actually paying for medical care. These are the Essential Health Benefits that Republicans would like to allow insurance companies to not provide: In what state would these not be routine and necessary services? on that same note: It's not that they don't need to offer it but can reallocate where needed. for your examples, alaska may want to put more in the the alcohol and drug rehab issues more than another state. States with an older population may need it more in chronic diseases etc. each state has different needs and they should have more say in it. I agree with the regulatory bottom.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Jun 20, 2017 -> 03:53 PM) It's looking more and more like the Senate bill will actually be even more harmful than the House bill, surprisingly. It might make too many changes and fall victim to Byrd Rules, though. I'm all for giving the states more authority on these issues. different state have different medical issues and should have leeway on how they are allocate resources.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jun 22, 2017 -> 11:02 AM) This is a great example of how to make statistics lie. How an incident like this gets filed totally influences how people in the future go back and count this as a statistic in the future. By not attaching the term "terrorism" to this, the government gets to keep citing stats that show terrorism isn't happening. good point. I think people are starting to think of terrorism as large group participation. Incidents like this and Timothy McVeigh qualify as well.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Jun 22, 2017 -> 10:32 AM) White people arent terrorists and we dont want to start a discussion on whether or not the man should have been legally able to obtain these weapons. Well just chalk this one up to a lone gunman who we could have never stopped. From what I've read, I don't think there was really anything in his past that anyone one could have predicted this. The only significant thing are his extreme political views but I don't think that would indicate this level of violence.

QUOTE (ChiliIrishHammock24 @ Jun 21, 2017 -> 01:09 AM) Even though I saw a quote from someone close to the situation who said he didn't appreciate the idea that this was made up, and it's a serious health issue for Marian, I really do hope it was made it up. It would suck to see a legendary player like Hossa suffer and have to wimper in to retirement before he wanted to call it quits. I'm all for the cap space, but I hope it was Hossa's decision, not an actual health issue. There have been some serious cases of the "gunk" over the years but I think they are exaggerating it a bit. It is nasty stuff. This and the smell of hockey locker rooms are the worst part working the sport.

QUOTE (Sox-35th @ Jun 20, 2017 -> 09:02 PM) He broke the plate collision rule. The punishment is clear. He was out. The end. MLB didn't feel a fine was warranted and the Padres let it go. Doesn't mean it was right. The umpire has the right to eject a player or the league can issue a fine or suspension if the play is deemed flagrant. Going out of the baseline to collide with the catcher is not just a casual hit at the plate. His intent was to hit the catcher to knock the ball loose and he went out of the line of the plate to do it. That should be flagrant. But obviously that is not Joe torre's definition so it will be interesting how future hits are handled.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Jun 19, 2017 -> 07:21 PM) Not sure I'd say Avi was out of shape . He tore his labrum and came back rather quickly. Now all reports we have heard say he worked very hard to come back ahead of schedule. Let's think about how that happens. I would have to surmise that the key was strengthening the shoulder. How does one do that ? Most likely a lot of it is weight lifting. It's likely he strengthened that shoulder , but possibly bulked up too much through his upper body perhaps neglecting flexibility. He ended up losing mobility in the outfield and in his swing . I 'd say he was muscle bound more than out of shape. Once he lost the weight in his upper body he loosened up his swing and improved his speed and agility. Now granted we have also heard he improved his diet as he matured so yes, he was probably carrying some excess fat too. In conclusion it's possible the post injury Avi wanted to feel less vulnerable to injury and stronger so ate and bulked up to achieve that. The weight loss was just getting him back to pre injury conditioning. Not to mention that maybe it just took awhile to get the strength back and adjust his swing to it.

QUOTE (Sox-35th @ Jun 20, 2017 -> 08:38 PM) Your unhealthy dislike for a cancer survivor and strong advocate for pediatric oncology studies is your problem. My presence here has nothing to do with it. The whole situation was well handled by everyone. No it wasn't. He clearly broke a rule with a cheap shot and everyone decided it was just fine. Why put a rule in place to protect the catcher and decide not to enforce it.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jun 20, 2017 -> 06:47 PM) Fully expect this to happen. It will be interesting since MLB ruled he broke the rule but there will be no punishment.

QUOTE (Sox-35th @ Jun 20, 2017 -> 02:15 PM) This. The White Sox BY FAR have the worst travel schedule in terms of exciting destinations. Baseball will never eliminate the DH. The pitcher batting in the NL is a blemish in an otherwise universal adoption of the DH. Also, you are never, ever going to get the players union to agree to eliminating the DH as the long term DH's strengthen the union and the position extends careers. This would be a bargaining point between the union and the league. If there was an increase in travel due to the elimination of the the division, the DH would be a bargaining point. i don't ever see the league eliminating the divisions just for this reason. The travel would drive the players and the union nuts. There are enough complaints now. At least they eliminated the goofy two day series. working in the MLB was a blast except for the travel. that's the part that makes baseball such a physically and mentally draining sport.

QUOTE (Harry Chappas @ Jun 20, 2017 -> 01:43 PM) They still had AL and NL and only one team made it from each league. right they had two leagues but no divisions. The league played every other team in the league evenly instead of divisional play. As far as only one team, that's why I added the X number of teams. Play would return to that format only more teams would make the "playoffs" and there would be the multiple rounds instead of just the World series.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Jun 20, 2017 -> 11:53 AM) that is one of them, yes. If you look at the label it says Guacamole -flavored-, lol. Tried to slide that in all slick in the background If you need to do the packaged stuff, the Wholly Guacamole is pretty good.

QUOTE (Sox-35th @ Jun 20, 2017 -> 08:10 AM) Really interesting stuff. I agree with the dissolution of the leagues. If that were to happen, we're talking league-wide DH. I would be interested in seeing the data regarding on-jersey advertising. I'm a soccer fan but I'm not convinced that I will go buy a jeep because Juventus wears Jeep on their uniforms. Or eliminating the DH. This all implies going back to the 1950 and 60's prior to division. Have the top X number of teams make the playoffs. What's new is old.

QUOTE (Sox-35th @ Jun 20, 2017 -> 07:33 AM) He doesn't know what he's talking about. Rizzo is one of the best people in the game right now. lol. okay. It's a violation of the rule but it's not particularly dirty. He started sliding and bailed Watch the replay. The catcher isn't in front of the plate.

QUOTE (Sox-35th @ Jun 20, 2017 -> 07:04 AM) I don't think the play was dirty, but that should be an automatic out. It was a cheap shot because the catcher was not blocking the plate. rizzo had to go to the side of the plate to make contact. If he goes straight to the plate there is no contact.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jun 19, 2017 -> 10:46 AM) The funny thing is, the Sox were on a roll that year about halfway through, then the wheels fell off. Not to mention they would have made the playoffs by the current rules, I believe.

QUOTE (illinilaw08 @ Jun 19, 2017 -> 11:20 AM) I'm not sure this gets to the heart of the issue. The issue isn't low paying job to low paying job. The issue is no job to low paying job. The small, rural towns that Trump was targeting during the election that lost their anchor employer and have massive unemployment. What do those people do? The jobs are urban, but they can't afford to make the move. They can't afford to go back to school to learn a skill. Relocating isn't really a feasible choice if you can't afford to move to the jobs. There a couple of choices in this scenario. 1. Dad or mom drives longer to go to work. 2. dad or mom goes to where the job is for X amount of time until they find something closer or family can move with them. There are jobs in the rural areas. It just depends on the length the person is willing to go to get them. There are many people now who drive to Chicago from rural Indiana for work to avoid Illinois taxes.

QUOTE (bmags @ Jun 19, 2017 -> 10:51 AM) Restrictive building policies that lead to housing shortages. Restrictions on height limits, building types, parking requirements. Interesting. I guess living in small towns, we don't run into these issues.

QUOTE (bmags @ Jun 19, 2017 -> 09:57 AM) Housing policy is a government choice that would probably be better at an affordability level as a big gov't choice instead of the "once I move here no one else can move here" policy of local governments. This is an odd statement. What type of policy prohibits someone from "moving here"

QUOTE (illinilaw08 @ Jun 19, 2017 -> 09:40 AM) It's tough for a low wage worker to relocate because of all the costs associated with it - including the higher housing costs in urban areas (which also happens to be where the jobs are). I have relocated three times since I graduated from law school, all over the country. Moving is expensive. Finding housing is stressful - even with a stable job in place. The point here - there's more to it than "you go where the jobs are." Of course there is. If it's not worth your expense to move then either a. the job you have isn't much worse than the one you are looking at or you have something holding you to your area. People won't move for a worse position. there is always a plus and a minus. I've moved plenty of times between when my parents made the choice and when I made the choice.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jun 18, 2017 -> 04:20 PM) When you draft guys based on them being polished (Fisher, Collins, Burdi) and see them struggling like this, there's definitely reason for pessimism. Hansen has been great but is beyond ready for a higher level. I disagree. Pessimism would be if they show no signs of being able to adjust to pro ball. If collins was proved he couldn't handle catching and couldn't put up a 800 OPS or Brurdi couldn't K any one. I see signs they are adjusting to pro ball. Maybe concern but not pessimism.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jun 18, 2017 -> 10:51 AM) Medicaid overhaul faces tough test in Trump country ‘Around here, there ain’t no jobs,’ says one beneficiary about the prospect of having to work to qualify for benefits. http://www.politico.com/story/2017/06/18/m...-country-239655 Doesn't matter if we blame Dems or Republicans, what is the solution? Is forcing families to relocate for jobs that barely pay a liveable wage going to work as a practical solution? Why/why not? Next, does the government "owe" them better opportunities than currently available? Should those people be "doubly punished" when the incidences of health problems related to smoking, cardiovascular disease, poor diet/nutrition are already disproportionately occurring in poor/rural states that largely voted for Trump? Or is that fair since their health problems are largely self-induced? What is the cost to society when they have to find alternate daycare solutions to family members? Should the government provide "higher quality" childcare to those children in order to break the cycle of poverty, or is that a distortion that's unacceptable to most Americans (because they would have to subsidize the costs through higher taxes)? You go where the jobs are. My parents did it. I did it. My kids should do it. The government shouldn't "owe" or "provide" any of this. It's not like we live in China where the government controls....Oh wait you do. (sorry couldn't resist) I can't believe I keep falling for your scenarios.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jun 18, 2017 -> 03:49 PM) Burdi...yuck Last year's draft class is so overrated That's true. Progress stops after 6 months in the minors. There are what they will be.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Jun 16, 2017 -> 03:37 PM) 1) He wasn't driving 2) The broken tail light was a pretext as was revealed by the reasons the officer gave over the radio for pulling them over i.e. having a "wide nose" No doubt the broken tail light was a pretext to pull him over. I got pulled over for not having a license plate light. However once I told the officer I had a weapon in the car I didn't ignore his request to keep my hands where he could see them. I'm not saying this to justify whatthe officer did. I'm just commenting on the statement thathe did absolutely nothing wrong. He did do things wrong. Shen a police officer pulls you over, you listen to everthing he says espcially when you are armed. Even if youare legally armed, the officer is on a different state of awareness.