Middle Buffalo

QUOTE (earthshiner @ Jan 16, 2011 -> 04:19 PM) I seem to remember Brian Simmons making one hell of a catch. I think he drove towards the wall while on the warning track. Don't remember Brian Simmons, but I remember Steve Lyons playing CF for the Sox and making a similar play. He was running full speed toward the wall and laid out for the ball on the warning track facing the wall. Best catch I ever saw. Unless I'm crazy and am imagining it. Regarding Chet Lemon - I remember him being a good CF, but mostly I remember that he always charged hard in for the ball and would lose his hat in the process. Always suspected that he tipped it off to make the catch look cooler.

I drive a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan (176K miles) that we bought new when my son was a year old. I want it to get to at least 200K. My wife drives an '04 Buick Rendezvous that I guess I'll inherit when the minivan dies. Such is life.

QUOTE (Controlled Chaos @ Jan 10, 2011 -> 02:05 PM) This thread should be closed for idiocy. It's shameful. This post applies to most of the threads in th filibuster. They generally have 3 or 4 posters on each side of the issue going back and forth and never conceding any points to the other side. I can't recall too many times where someone's opinion was swayed even a little. It's like arguing with a Cub fan. No matter what the argument is about, the Cub fan will always say something about attendance.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Jan 7, 2011 -> 01:10 PM) Right, words don't have magical power, and pretending they don't exist doesn't make the ideas and thoughts they convey disappear. Well, words must have some power, or there'd be no argument here.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Jan 7, 2011 -> 12:54 PM) I think a lot of people, even those who are opposed to the censorship, just assume Twain was a racist but that he was just a "product of his times." If he had written a book making some other point, and just used n***** to use the word, I'd maybe see the point in softening it. But that word is part of the foundation for the novel. They could substitute the pc words, footnote the change with an explanation, and his intention is known and open for discussion. Repetition of the words adds no value. And, even then, the impact of the words won't be quite understood by the kids reading them. My kids don't know the word "n*****" because I don't use it. What's the value of them learning it in 6th grade when they're at their most immature?

I don't see how those words add value to the book. While the inclusion of the words might provoke conversation between the student and parents, chances are, it won't. An edited version of the book would be just fine with me if that's what my kids were reading. I don't love the political correctness, but school is so much different today than when I was a kid. The administration probably doesn't want to get sued by some crazy parent who objects to the words their kids are being exposed to in the book.

QUOTE (Tex @ Jan 7, 2011 -> 12:00 PM) I don't mind tossing this in, knowing some people will scream, but haviong spent so much time outside Chicago, there are waaaaay too many people who believe Thomas was on PEDs as well. Just because of his size, and many remember him tearing a bicep. But that is the average, doesn't know s***, baseball fan outside Chicago. I assume that 92% of the baseball writers are smarter than that. We don't actually "know" what Frank did or didn't do regarding PEDs. I don't think he did, but nothing would surprise me.

QUOTE (bigruss22 @ Jan 6, 2011 -> 06:51 AM) First post from the Netherlands It would be raining all week here when I really just want to walk around the campus and neighboring towns. Oh well, a little water never hurt. Start dropping Bert Blyleven's name around town. You'll live like a king.

QUOTE (Tex @ Jan 6, 2011 -> 12:03 PM) ^^ POTY worthy. Well, it should be pointed out that it's a weak class. Last year this post wouldn't have garnered much of a response. Much stiffer competition back in 2010.

Hitler? Who said anything about Hitler?

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Dec 30, 2010 -> 09:41 AM) Players don't read websites like ESPN or Sports Illustrated? Players may not read them themselves, but they are aware of what is said on them.

Oney is an embarrassment to the Sox organization. What Jenks said was not noteworthy. Just disappointment at not being with the Sox anymore. Not cool to air Jenks' personal stuff out publicly, and I'd guess he wouldn't say much of what he tweeted to Jenks' face. Daddy should take away his phone. I like Ozzie, and I don't have any problem with the Ozzie/KW dynamic. However, Oney obviously can't be trusted with private info, and, at this point, I'd have no problem if they let Ozzie go. I'm tired of having to defend this crap.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Dec 28, 2010 -> 01:23 AM) Since the board is dead, I have a question off his post. It seems Sox fans throughout the years point to a certain game that killed our season when we know there are so many games in a season that one game probably truthfully doesn't mean squat. I want to ask you all: Are you of the opinion one or two games, like the ones Bobby blew vs. the Twins, sent the Twins on their winning run and doomed us? If so ... then why don't the times we have a walkoff or some dramatic win, and we've had them in seasons since the WS season, do those dramatic wins not propel us to the title? I think Sox fans make too big a deal out of one or two games sending us down the s***ter. Like in our WS season. We were going to hell in September but righted the ship and still won the division. True, fans place too much emphasis on individual games. The games Jenks blew vs. the Twins were just two losses, and nothing more. However, if they altered Ozzie's confidence in Jenks to the point that he didn't want to use Jenks, they did have a greater effect than just two losses in the standings. I know I never felt comfortable when Jenks was in the game, and it wasn't even like he was being clobbered. He'd give up a walk and a bloop single, and before you knew it it was another blown save. It's a great question that really can't be answered because there are so many variables on a 25 man roster in a 162 game season. I'm sure Jenks' blown saves were no more important than Beckham not hitting for the first two months, the DH being terrible all year, or Peavy's arm blowing up. But, it's easier for us to remember a big home run or a blown save than it is to remember Teahan popping up to the second baseman again and again. I wish Bobby the best. I think the change of scenery will be good for him. He'll always be one of my favorites because in 2005, when he came in, it was over. I'm sure some are sick of hearing about 2005, but I'll never take it for granted. I was 13 when the '85 Bears won the Super Bowl, and just like the '05 Sox, I thought they would win a few more. Hasn't happened.

It's amazing to think that professional athletes in the past served in the military in the middle of their careers for several years. Much is made of Pat Tillman walking away from the NFL (and it should be recognized), but in the 40's it was pretty common for players to serve despite professional status.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Dec 7, 2010 -> 08:47 AM) Damn you! Sorry, it's a pet peeve that I should probably just get over, but I see it all the time. Hope you haven't ordered the banner yet.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Dec 3, 2010 -> 02:16 PM) Wow, so many reasons: (1) it's not enough that thousands of government employees were able to keep the inside job of 9/11 secret, but now we have probably tens or hundreds of thousands who work in oncology who are simply wasting research money to better of their career? Too complicated to be a conspiracy. (2) any medical professional (or group) that finds a cure would be an instant billionaire. (3) as Balta said, way too many variants = complex solution (4) my mother is a nurse practitioner who works in oncology at NW and is a melanoma survivor. I'm guessing she wouldn't continue to work in that field if it was all for show. It would be the perfect cover. Take that in the spirit it's intended. My mom is getting her last round of chemo this week. She's 71, goes every three weeks, and she still shows up for work. After her last treatment on a Friday, she worked a double shift the following day(she's a waitress part-time to keep busy), and then one shift on Sunday. And I work with people who call in sick with minor aches and pains for three days at a time.

If it's the first, it's the "inaugural." Doesn't become annual until next year.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Dec 5, 2010 -> 12:15 PM) And as far as his horrible announcing, it's the way it is with homers. Cub fans obviously loved his announcing. I happen to love Hawk's style and he's an incredible homer as well. I listen to Waddle & Silvy and CJH via podcast, and I have to say I'm a little surprised that they both dedicated their entire shows to Santo. He was not Harry Caray, beloved throughout the city - though the comparison was made countless times. Caray was at one time a great broadcaster, so his inefficiencies at the end of his career could be overlooked. Santo was pretty terrible. Most Cubs fans that I know hate Hawk because of his homerism, but the callers/hosts I heard today celebrated Santo for this. I don't remember him as a player, but he was obviously one of those guys (similar to Jim Rice and Andre Dawson) whose numbers were borderline. He should probably be in the HOF, but I don't know. If he does eventually get in, it's too bad that he won't be alive to accept the honor. That said, Santo the person was by all accounts I've heard a great person. He lived with great physical hardship, but he didn't let that disable him. The way he lived his life should be applauded and emulated. RIP. My wife's uncle is a huge Cub fan. He goes to Cubs' Spring Training games all the time (he lives in AZ), and he was telling me that Santo was signing autographs before a game one day, and the line stretched down the block. So the uncle decided not to wait and went into the park. His seats were in front of the broadcast booth, so the uncle turned around during the game and asked Santo to sign a ball that his grandson had caught. Whoever was in the booth with the announcers said no, so the uncle turned around. A few innings later the uncle tried again, and the guy in the booth refused him again. Santo waved off the "handler" and told the uncle to throw the ball and he'd autograph it. That's pretty cool.

QUOTE (IamtheHBOMB @ Nov 30, 2010 -> 07:50 PM) Dear guy who declines to wash his hands (or even fake it) after taking a s***, You are f***ing disgusting. Signed, Avoiding the door handle you just touched Maybe he doesn't wipe his a$$. Eliminates the need to wash the hands - and much greener.

Dear Guy in the Car Next to Me, Those are windows. I can see you picking your nose. I can only imagine what you do with the "gold." Signed, Guy Dry-heaving in the Car Next to You

This.

QUOTE (Middle Buffalo @ Oct 25, 2010 -> 12:36 PM) I just went under 210 for the first time in 2 years or so. I never really had a weight problem after I dropped some extra college weight in my early twenties. If I went up a few pounds, I'd just eat a little less/exercise, and the weight would just drip off me. Maintained the same weight for 12-13 years. Once I hit my mid-30s, I found that I couldn't lose weight the same way, and I don't have much time to work out. A month ago, I found a calorie counter website, so I signed up, and in no time dropped 14 lbs. No starvation, no fad die, just paying more attention to portion size and what I'm eating. A little more activity, but I'm a pretty active person anyway. Like you said, drinks are the biggest problem. I work outside, so it's nothing for me to drink 2 or 3 - 32oz Powerades or Gatorades at work (400-600 calories). That's 25% of my recommended intake right there. I don't eat terribly otherwise, so I knew it was the drinks that were killing me, but not until I started logging the food daily did it take hold. Down to 200 on Thanksgiving morning. Just counting calories.

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen 4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling Didn't read the last one. My 11 year old is tearing through these now. 5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee 6 The Bible 12 years of Catholic school/church covered most of it. 7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte 8 Nineteen Eighty-Four - George Orwell Favorite part - the ball going through Durham's legs. 11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott 15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier 18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger 21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell 22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald 27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky 33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis 34 Emma -Jane Austen 36 The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe - CS Lewis 37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini - books on tape - I'll count it 48 The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood 54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen 57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens - AP English - hated this book 58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley 61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck 70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville 75 Ulysses - James Joyce AP English - I don't think we read the whole thing, though - just passages 91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad 98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare Sadly, I don't think I could answer any questions about any of the books I listed. I've always had terrible recall when it comes to books and movies.

QUOTE (FlaSoxxJim @ Nov 4, 2010 -> 09:33 PM) Colonal Mustard did it in the. . . Six words! Light him up!

Fast Eddie dying soon after Mayor Washington would have been an even more interesting coincidence. Bra and panties optional.