Middle Buffalo

Hopefully, the end result of all this is that salaries come down and tickets come down. Pro teams rely too much on corporations to buy tickets, and the "average" fan can't afford to go to more than a few games anymore. I'm looking at spending around $100 for tickets to a spring training game for my Dad, two kids and me. Then there's parking, food, etc. We're looking at $150 minimum. That's a little steep for a couple hours of low intensity baseball. I don't think that the current MLB price structure is really the best way to build the next generation of baseball fans.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Feb 10, 2009 -> 12:07 PM) Must be a slap on the wrist (imo). Also I wonder if leaving the Orioles made it so Tejada no longer had Angelos law firm in his corner. Cause I swear when Palmeiro was being investigated Angelos made it clear that he would protect Raffy. I'm pretty sure that the Angelos/Palmeiro thing was brought up after Palmeiro was accused by Canseco, but before he tested positive. I think Palmeiro said he would fight the accusation. Then he wagged his finger at Congress. Then he peed.

I'm conflicted. I'd like to know the names of all the players who failed the test in 2003, but I think it's unfair that a "survey" test that was supposed to remain anonymous has been leaked. It's unfair to the players who've been outed, but it's also unfair to "clean" players (if there are any) who are guilty by association. Oh, well, at least Bud Selig makes big bucks for completely and repeatedly dropping the ball.

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Feb 8, 2009 -> 10:42 PM) People can add weight and muscle mass as they get older. It's not uncommon. Ramirez was 22 years old in 1994. Rookie Card 500th homer I don't see a big enough difference. He wore a tighter uniform early in his career and as he's aged, he's gone to a real baggy like uniform. That probably explains some of it too. To me, that looks exactly like the Barry Bonds transformation, right down to the baggy uniform he's wearing when he hit the 500th homer.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jan 29, 2009 -> 10:32 AM) I've heard a number of people say that Bonds deserves to go in to the HOF based on what he did before he started taking steroids. I've always responded that we can't really know when he started; he may have started some all the way back in the 80's for all we know, and just switched products when his body exploded. If there's steroids other than the ones we've heard about him taking so far (THG and possibly Winstrol) in his urine, then does that call in to question any of his pre-1998 numbers in anyone else's eyes? I didn't realize that you were a great mind, but I had a similar thought today. I was thinking that if he was willing to cheat later in his career, who's to say that he didn't cheat earlier? Either way, his overall career has been marked by his unethical behavior. Therefore, regardless of how great he was early (and he actually struggled some early in the late 80's before becoming great in the early 90's - hmmm?), I don't think he belongs in the hall. Let him sit at a table with Pete Rose just outside the HOF. Might need to add a few leafs for Clemens, McGwire, et al.

I don't like people who actively dislike kids. The thing with the movie theaters was mentioned earlier, and I agree that there are some movies that no matter what time of day, it's just inappropriate for kids to attend. However, if you must bring a child, have a quick exit planned, understand that you may not make it throught the movie, and have some consideration for people around you. If you do that, I don't really have a problem with you bringing your kids to the theater. I hate when people without kids (either never had any, or theirs are grown now) act out when my kids misbehave. Believe me, I'd rather not have my kids make a scene, it's stressful, and getting disapproving looks or head shakes from people doesn't make it any better. What, your kid never acted like a jerk in public? The worst is when it's in church or a restaurant, and the person observing the scene keeps looking over and making faces, etc. I can understand if it's going on for a long time unchecked, but if you see that the parent is making an effort to control the situation, turn around and give the parent a chance to control the situation. That said, I was listening to a podcast of "Dave Dameshek on Demand" on iTunes, and he tells a story of how he dealt with a similar problem on a flight he took. Dameshek is a former sideman on the Adam Carolla Radio Show, and his podcast is sports themed, and it can be hit or miss, but his retelling of this conflict is excellent. It's on the 12/30/08 episode, and the story starts at the 1:01:55 mark. Get it quick because I'm pretty sure it will be deleted in a few days as his newer shows are added. Speaking of planes, I hate that the people in the back of the plane start filling up the aisle and moving forward before the people in front move out.

QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ Jan 23, 2009 -> 01:10 PM) He's an incredible baseball player who showed uncanny strike zone ability and is quite possibly the epitome (in his prime) of a 5 tool player. Sid Bream still laughs at his throwing arm.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Jan 19, 2009 -> 08:26 AM) I've started throwing some of my wife's stuff away. I mean, like the stuff there is not even remotely an excuse to keep. My wife is a pack rat, too. I get so annoyed by some of the crap she's kept that I occasionally go through it and donate/toss/sell it. Then I get annoyed that it's me and not her going through the stuff.

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Jan 19, 2009 -> 08:02 PM) There are two sides to that story. There is no doubt there are a ton of idiots that call in. I deal with it every day. However, without them, B&B would have a totally different show. They welcome it, because it makes for good radio(or at least in their opinion it does). Goff and Abbatacolla welcome those "Orton is God" calls. They are the ones letting them pass though the screen, getting them on air. For every smart call they let on the air, they let 5 meatball calls on. The problem is there aren't as many meatball calls as you are lead to believe, but most make the air so they can do their shtick. After Dahl was cancelled, I was looking for something to fill the void in my podcasts that I listen to a work. I listened to a month or so of B&B, and I couldn't take it anymore. I understand that they don't like "dumb" calls, but like you said, it's their screeners who let them through. McNeil (who I like as a host, but suspect I'd dislike greatly in person) is pompous. Bernstein is pompous squared. When B&B get on a topic, they really beat it to death, and nobody can change their opinions. They were talking about "half time adjustments" a while back, and Terry said he saw Phil Simms interviewed and Simms said that coaches don't make "half time adjustments." With that as the basis of his argument, B&B proceeded to browbeat anyone who said anything about Lovie Smith not making adjustments. If you listen to many ex-athletes, they use the term making adjustments quite often. It doesn't mean that the teams make huge changes in scheme or philosophy mid-game, it means making minor tweaks to the gameplan based on what has happened in the game. To me, that's B&B in a nutshell. If a caller makes a point and misspeaks or overstates something, they pounce and proceed to make the caller look stupid. I don't find that kind of radio entertaining.

QUOTE (robinventura23 @ Dec 28, 2008 -> 10:14 AM) I disagree. True Romance. Hands Down. Won't argue with that, but he was also great in Kalifornia.

I still look much like the before picture. 2009 is my year.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Dec 23, 2008 -> 02:11 PM) If you want to spend like a coke whore, there's consequences for it. Coke whores get by on BJs and very little cash. The Rays used the same formula and made it to the World Series.

QUOTE (ptatc @ Dec 23, 2008 -> 10:31 AM) There are a few philosophies that espouse this but most don't and shouldn't. What this person was probably was referring to was the Drop and Drive technique that was the most common back in that time. Most biomechanical models show the extra stress this puts on the shoulder and elbow and it has fallen out of favor. However the newer models do not de-emphasize the lower body. They just incorporate it differently. i would bet this person said this due to a the straying away from the Drop and Drive and not so much of looking at the newer ideas because you need to use the lower extremities to protect the arm. Ex-Dodger Mike Marshall has a web-site where he discusses the biomechanical problems of the pitching delivery. He has a theory that pitchers should change their delivery to reduce stress on the arm. It's pretty interesting. http://www.drmikemarshall.com/BaseballPitc...ionalVideo.html I don't think the 4-man rotation would work for an entire season because of the way pitchers are handled, but I do think there are points in the season where the fifth starter (or anyone who's struggling) could be skipped becasue of rainouts or some kind of scheduling quirk that would allow the 4 top guys to pitch on normal rest. You could probably get 3 or 4 more starts out of your top 4 guys and reduce the work load of the fifth starter just by periodically going to the 4-man rotation.

QUOTE (ptatc @ Dec 12, 2008 -> 09:45 AM) When you need more money, change the uniforms so all of the idiot "Red Sox nation" will run out like lemmings to buy the new merchandise. The White Sox have probably had more uniforms in my lifetime than any other team.

Right now, I'm filling the time that I used to listen to Dahl with Boers and Bernstein. I used to listen to the Boers and McNeil years ago. I"ve never been a huge fan of Bernstein. I'd forgotten just how bad callers are after a Bears loss (I downloaded B&B starting last Monday - after the Vikings game). The Monday show was terrible as a result of the callers. I listened to Tuesday, also. Much better. Actually, any time they interview someone, it's good. When they open up the phone lines . I think Dahl will be back, but I know his contract is guaranteed for 2+ more years. I don't see him rushing back unless he thinks he can be successful. He complained about the lack of ad support and the new rating system, so I think he'll wait it out for the right situation.

What will I listen to at work now? I've podcasted Steve Dahl's show for the last 1 1/2 years. I was able to listen to the whole thing while I worked. Now, he's gone, and I don't know what will fill up the empty space. http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/towert...e-dahl-out.html

QUOTE (LosMediasBlancas @ Dec 5, 2008 -> 10:28 AM) I'd say only a very small % of them are victims who NEED to make money. Another small group I believe truly does it because they love what they do. Like The Stones, when those guys hit the stage, they are totally in love with what they do and they mostly do it for fun for themselves.....and a lot of people still want to see them doing it. Most of the others are just greedy or weird. When people make money, they spend it. So the guy in Malibu with the mansion has a huge mortgage, a summer home in Aspen, expensive cars, service staff, agents, etc, and when his stream of income declines, he still has bills to pay. If he didn't take care in financial planning, he's screwed. That's why "celebrities" go on reality shows and take parts in bad movies. That's why they go to card signings, etc. It's because they've grown used to the lavish life, and they want to maintain it. The Stones are a great example of a band that "sold out" many years ago. Their new music hasn't been relevant for 30 years, and they trade on their name to fill arenas. "Satisfaction," "Start Me Up," and some others from their catalog are regularly used in movies, tv, and commercials. I've heard that they're great in concert, but I wouldn't exactly say that they aren't in it for the money at this point. That doesn't mean they don't enjoy it, but they definitely want the cash. They are the first band that I can remember being sponsored (Budweiser, I believe)>

I once reached into my parents fridge at Christmas time and took a big chug out of the half-gallon of eggnog (gross, sure, but we all do it) when nobody was looking. Unfortunately, it was buttermilk.

QUOTE (LosMediasBlancas @ Dec 5, 2008 -> 12:46 AM) If you have no money, sure, go ahead, whore yourself out. But WhyTF do successful artists do it? Are they thinking, I'm 50 years old and I only have 300 mil in the bank, I'd like to have 600 mil.? Eventually, famous people stop making money. The box office stars, tv stars, musicians, and athletes stop producing what made them famous and rich, and they just remain famous. They also fall victim to "handlers" who essentially rob them (eg. Don King and other agents/accountants). What can they do for money then? They often don't have a skill or education to fall back on, and even if they did, it wouldn't produce the sort of income they need to finance their lifestyles. So they cash in on their fame. I can't blame them.

The subtitle of this thread should have been something like, "Head doubles in size - testicles immediately shrink." Judge Opens Bonds' Drug Test Results Head doubles in size - testicles immediately shrink

I don't know if this has been posted, and I couldn't find the "funny videos" thread. Anyway, I came home from work yesterday, and for some reason my wife was watching a video that she found on youtube of Steve Guttenberg jogging naked (no pants). Now, I'm as big a fan of Police Academy as anyone, but I'm having trouble coming to grips with two things:1)my wife searched for Steve Guttenberg, and 2) Steve Guttenberg has a really nice ass. Sorry, I don't know how to post the video directly.

I like to think of myself as a "Fine Urban Legend" from Chicago.

QUOTE (G&T @ Nov 27, 2008 -> 05:11 AM) True The person below me has to work today. False. The person below me is shocked that Controlled Chaos' movie list doesn't include "Farenheit 9/11."

QUOTE (shipps @ Nov 18, 2008 -> 11:33 AM) Bob Dylan was not a good singer.One of the greatest songwriters but not a good singer. He's not the only one on the list that fits the discription of "not a good singer." Now, I wouldn't want the list to be all pure vocalists, and Dylan should probably be on the list somewhere for his unique voice, but it should be much lower on the list. Guys like Iggy Popp and Lou Reed are questionable, too.

The Rolling Stone list of the top 100 singers of the Rock era. http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstor...161972/page/103 The 100 Greatest Singers of All Time 1 | Aretha Franklin 2 | Ray Charles 3 | Elvis Presley 4 | Sam Cooke 5 | John Lennon 6 | Marvin Gaye 7 | Bob Dylan 8 | Otis Redding 9 | Stevie Wonder 10 | James Brown 11 | Paul McCartney 12 | Little Richard 13 | Roy Orbison 14 | Al Green 15 | Robert Plant 16 | Mick Jagger 17 | Tina Turner 18 | Freddie Mercury 19 | Bob Marley 20 | Smokey Robinson 21 | Johnny Cash 22 | Etta James 23 | David Bowie 24 | Van Morrison 25 | Michael Jackson 26 | Jackie Wilson 27 | Hank Williams 28 | Janis Joplin 29 | Nina Simone 30 | Prince 31 | Howlin' Wolf 32 | Bono 33 | Steve Winwood 34 | Whitney Houston 35 | Dusty Springfield 36 | Bruce Springsteen 37 | Neil Young 38 | Elton John 39 | Jeff Buckley 40 | Curtis Mayfield 41 | Chuck Berry 42 | Joni Mitchell 43 | George Jones 44 | Bobby "Blue" Bland 45 | Kurt Cobain 46 | Patsy Cline 47 | Jim Morrison 48 | Buddy Holly 49 | Donny Hathaway 50 | Bonnie Raitt 51 | Gladys Knight 52 | Brian Wilson 53 | Muddy Waters 54 | Luther Vandross 55 | Paul Rodgers 56 | Mavis Staples 57 | Eric Burdon 58 | Christina Aguilera 59 | Rod Stewart 60 | Björk 61 | Roger Daltrey 62 | Lou Reed 63 | Dion 64 | Axl Rose 65 | David Ruffin 66 | Thom Yorke 67 | Jerry Lee Lewis 68 | Wilson Pickett 69 | Ronnie Spector 70 | Gregg Allman 71 | Toots HIbbert 72 | John Fogerty 73 | Dolly Parton 74 | James Taylor 75 | Iggy Pop 76 | Steve Perry 77 | Merle Haggard 78 | Sly Stone 79 | Mariah Carey 80 | Frankie Valli 81 | John Lee Hooker 82 | Tom Waits 83 | Patti Smith 84 | Darlene Love 85 | Sam Moore 86 | Art Garfunkel 87 | Don Henley 88 | Willie Nelson 89 | Solomon Burke 90 | The Everly Brothers 91 | Levon Helm 92 | Morrissey 93 | Annie Lennox 94 | Karen Carpenter 95 | Patti LaBelle 96 | B.B. King 97 | Joe Cocker 98 | Stevie Nicks 99 | Steven Tyler 100 | Mary J. Blige