Balta1701

QUOTE(Rex Kickass @ Dec 11, 2005 -> 11:58 AM) When we talked about torture being acceptable or not - this is one of the stories that I had in mind. It's a far cry from bonbons and I really hope that the story is inaccurate. http://observer.guardian.co.uk/internation...1664612,00.html If even half of this story is true, what does this say about us as a society? What does it say about how we're handling the war on terror? Please don't slip into discrediting the story or anyone that might be involved. What I want to see here is what your reaction would be IF this story is true. After hearing so many of these stories...my reaction "if" it is true is basically nothing...I'm just not surprised to hear about them any more. I could probably point at something on the order of a dozen solid cases saying the exact same thing, and those are only the folks who were released.

QUOTE(GreatScott82 @ Dec 10, 2005 -> 04:58 PM) In a perfect world that would happen. But in order to get something- you have to get something. We saw it with Garcia (losing Reed). But i'll take my chances with Anderson. Brian Anderson has a very good chance to put up better offensive numbers for us this year than ARow did last year.

QUOTE(hi8is @ Dec 10, 2005 -> 04:33 PM) ramirez for tejada.... hummm... as a redsox fan id like that trade. Which is why Baltimore wants to get some pitching and some cash to go along with it.

QUOTE(Pierzynski 12 @ Dec 10, 2005 -> 05:56 PM) Reggie Bush wins the Heisman Upset of the century!

I really hope either this story is wrong or it is very uncommon. Link.

Jesus Christ, wow. That's horrific.

QUOTE(LowerCaseRepublican @ Dec 10, 2005 -> 03:22 PM) It is an attempt to show that somehow using tanks and flak jackets et al. that murdering people is somehow more moral than other forms of murder. Especially with all the ramblings about the War on Christmas, shouldn't all the self-proclaimed Christians be worried about the un-Christian behavior of our nation before worrying about semantics of what a tree is called in some town? Would you agree that there is a difference between specifically launching attacks on civilian targets and launching attacks on military targets which wind up hurting civilians because the military target is hiding in a civilian building?

Responses. 1. Yes, El Duque will spend time on the DL next year. However, including him...we have a grand total of 6 starters. If Mark Buehrle or Jon Garland or Jose Contreras go down with an injury, we will suffer, but that will be because the guys going down are so damn good. You can't exactly expect to keep Johan Santana out in the bullpen in case someone gets hurt. By having a backup starter like El Duque, who will get some use but hopefully not a lot, we're in better shape than most teams. Plus, our starting rotation, with the exception of the Cubans, is extremely young, which unlike that of a team like NY, tends to help our guys stay healthy. 2. Yes, we have only 1 lefty in the bullpen. But Lefties hit .100 of Bobby Jenks last year. Lefties hit less than .200 against Clifford last year. And if Viz ever finds his slider, he'll be able to get lefites out again (that was his strength in Milwaukee). Plus, there is no guarantee this won't change - KW has hinted he has someone in mind. 3. Last year, our bullpen started with Shingo Takatsu as the closer. This year, we're starting with Bobby Jenks as the closer. We have vastly upgraded at that position. Last year, Politte was coming off a bad year. This year he's coming off a great year. Other than Bobby, in the bullpen we have: Clifford Viz Probably El Duque Hermanson All of whom come from the right hand side. And, we have Baj as a potential backup in the minors. If Hermanson isn't healthy, yes it hurts us. But it's not necessarily murder. Especially if Clifford and Cotts both repeat their performances from last year. 4. Jenks has 4 pitches. He used to be a starter. Fastball, curve, slider, change. When he's coming in at the end of a game for 1-2 innings though, he really doens't need those extra pitches that often, because people aren't seeing him long enough to adapt to the speed change between the fastball and the hammer. Plus, given that Bobby's had arm problems in the past, it may not be a bad idea for him to avoid the slider and try to keep himself in good enough shape to throw the gas.

QUOTE(Jenks Heat @ Dec 10, 2005 -> 02:47 PM) Prior or Zambrano need to go in order to Tejada. If they hadn't gotten Pierre, the three pitchers plus Hill may have gotten him. Imagine if they could have gotten Tejada for this and then signed Damon. They'd still suffer from a pitching staff that can't stay healthy, they'd still have guys who are getting up in years, and they'd still be missing a lot of leadership.

So let's see...this month...on his schedule, Jerry Rice, the greatest receiver in NFL history, has: 1. Court hearing over missed child support payments 2. Filming "Dancing with the stars." I just find that odd.

From Think Progress

Before the injuries started to slow him after 2000, Frank was simply the best hitter in the game and we all know that. IF he was truly "Healthy", that would mean the Frank of 2000 and before would be back. No one can pitch to that Frank.

If I could have a healthy Frank Thomas...it'd be Frank and Arow without a doubt in my mind. Personally though, I was hoping before we got Thome that Frank could maybe give us 250 at bats and BA could pick up the rest. Just based entirely on the fact that I don't know if Frank will ever give a team 300 at bats again, or survive another season without that foot giving out (2 fractures within an inch of each other, can't operate on the 2nd because it's so close to the first? Yipes) I would have had to go with Thome. But since this question asks about 100% healthy...that means Jesus has returned and waved his hand over Frank's foot, so I guess having the Son of God on your side can't hurt either.

I don't know how many people might have seen this one yet (I saw it at one of our local stores that sells everything available for every holiday)...but if you're one of those people who like to put houses under your trees...This would make one hell of an addition.

QUOTE(sayitaintso @ Dec 10, 2005 -> 07:34 AM) I guess he didn't sign with them yet. Bill Mueller - 3B - Red Sox The Pirates have offered a three-year deal to free agent Bill Mueller, who turns 35 in March. The Dodgers are still at two years. It was reported Thursday by CBS4 in Boston, that Mueller had a deal in place with Los Angeles, but that hardly seems to be the case. If Mueller chooses Pittsburgh, the Dodgers may trade for David Bell. Joe Randa seems to be an afterthought right now. Dec. 10 - 4:16 am et Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette The LA Times is reporting the same thing.

QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ Dec 9, 2005 -> 07:27 PM) Well, their only down by 1 point now... That tells you something about the Lakers as well.

I don't know what the rest of y'all are doing tonight...but I just feel the urge to jump up and down on my 2 bad knees right now pumping my fists. Why? I just turned in my last final project and final exam. So, God willing if I pass those 2 courses...I am completely done with course work. Completely done. As in...I never have to take another class in my life. Ever. After over 20 years, counting every level. Yippee. Now I get to actually have dinner.

QUOTE(SoxFan1 @ Dec 9, 2005 -> 07:08 PM) Overall, the ceremony was pretty cool. Pippen didn't seem to enthusiastic though. Barkley's comments were pretty funny. Got goosebumps watching the clips. #33 is in the banners for good. We needed Rowand to show up for this game in a Pippen Jersey.

QUOTE(SoCalSouthSider59 @ Dec 9, 2005 -> 06:20 PM) 2 Double-Doubles, fries, and a strawberry shake, from In-N-Out Burger, the best damn double cheeseburger on the West Coast! And 1 triple bypass! (yes, they are damn good burgers)

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Dec 9, 2005 -> 05:13 PM) And yet today the Angels traded for J.C Romero. What does that tell you? That anyone in their right mind would be willing to give up their 6th of 7th best prospect, a guy no one in the area has even mentionned in the papers, in exchange for a quality major league relief pitcher.

QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ Dec 9, 2005 -> 04:37 PM) Screening Narnia specifically to Christians and Church officials is market driven. Film executives know which audience is most likely to watch the movie. I agree, it makes sense to me, I just think it's hard to blame message boards for discussing it if Disney's out there driving that exact point home through marketing. "Welcome to Narnia. I'm Mr. Tumnus" "Hey gimme back my sock you goat bastard!"

The Tigers need several improbable things to happen. 1. Kenny Rogers needs to somehow pitch like he did before his suspension last year. 2. Jeremy Bonderman and their other starting pitchers need to grow up, even more rapidly than was expected. 3. Magglio Ordonez must stay healthy. 4. The team must want to play. 5. Jones and Percival must stay healthy and productive, allowing the other guys (isn't German still up there?) to fill a relief role. 6. Shelton must not be a fluke. 7. Several other young guys (i.e. Nook Logan) must perform better. 8. Ivan Rodriguez must perform better. I'm sure I could think of more if I tried.

QUOTE(WHarris1 @ Dec 9, 2005 -> 04:10 PM) Steak 'n' Shake Damn man...you don't know how much I miss that place. (eats a handful of Doritos)

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Dec 9, 2005 -> 04:10 PM) I am doing the doritos and diet pepsi thing right now. I had an install scheduled for Saturday 11am Adelaide Australia time, which for is 6:30pm Friday night our time. God dam international company. Why cant everyone just be on our time. I blame the sun. Since the dawn of time man has yearned to destroy the sun.

QUOTE(watchtower41 @ Dec 9, 2005 -> 12:39 PM) You guys think MJ will speak??? I heard somewhere, ESPN 1000 probably, that this was gonna be the biggest reunion of players from the championship run. I heard Rodman, Kerr, Wennington and Pax (obviously).... anybody else coming out?? Will Dennis Hopson be in the house?? Thanks Pipp I read somewhere that Horace Grant should be there. I hope he's wearing the Goggles. "At forward...from Central Arkansas, 6'7", Scooooottieeeeeee Pippen!"