G&T

SI So he probably was tested very shortly after starting a cycle.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Dec 12, 2011 -> 10:21 AM) I think that at this point it's pretty clear no one in baseball has that out clause. The Dodgers were probably the most likely to use it, they could have saved themselves a fortune on Manroid, for example. My guess is that the union made sure that it wasn't allowed when they agreed to the testing. Theoretically, you wouldn't need an out clause. All contracts formed under a CBA are subject to the rules in that CBA regardless of the language of the player's contract. Under basic contract principles this contract is likely voidable because the use of PED's is illegal and if the benefits of that use lead to the contract formation then the team (assuming their belief that Braun was clean) should be able to void the remainder of the contract. Of course, you have to prove that he was doing it at the time of contracting. Not later. Later positive tests are covered by the CBA as we already know. The reason we don't see this, IMO, is threefold: 1. The union is not going to allow that without litigation which would be hellacious given the money involved and the precedent. 2. The team doesn't want the world finding out that they knew or should have known that he was on PEDs, which, by and large, is probably the case. 3. Negative perception to future players. Someone else may have better information that I, but that's my stab at it.

QUOTE (GoSox05 @ Dec 12, 2011 -> 09:40 AM) I wonder if he has been doing this his whole career. Do players get tested just once a year? Boston herald

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Dec 12, 2011 -> 09:12 AM) The point is that you choose the plan of action that carries the highest probability of winning the game. Knowing that the Bears are 100% running the ball, getting a first down is very unlikely. Just downing the ball and running the clock down leaves less of a chance of Denver scoring than running plays where a turnover or clock stoppage could happen. If Barber doesn't run out of bounds or fumble they win the game. That's a pretty high probability of winning with the added benefit of a getting a first down without having to give the ball back. I guarantee if they took knees then had the punt blocked and lost the game you'd be complaining that they didn't try for a first down.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Dec 12, 2011 -> 08:59 AM) Which is more likely to happen: 1) Broncos get the ball at the 20 with 20 seconds left and score 2) Bears turn the ball over or otherwise give the ball back to Broncos with more than 20 seconds left and Broncos score. That's not really the point. The point is that you are trying to win the game without the Broncos getting the ball back at all, but doing it the safest way possible.

QUOTE (HickoryHuskers @ Dec 12, 2011 -> 08:03 AM) Yes, Marion Barber is a complete moron for running out of bounds, but why are the Bears running plays in that situation anyway? Take a knee three times and by the time you get off a punt, Denver has about 20 seconds left with no timeouts. Seems like that's at least a 99.9% winning strategy and eliminated the possibility of a fumble or a clock stoppage. Because if you get a first down the game is over.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Dec 11, 2011 -> 07:48 PM) I guess I dont agree with going that conservative so early in the quarter. I know Hanie sucks, but obviously Tebow has followed this exact same blueprint multiple times this season and he did it again because he was given the chance But that game plan would have won the game had Barber executed. I would have rather they throw and get a first down too, but if Hanie throws a pick, everyone is blaming Lovie. I don't think I've ever been this mad over a Bear's loss. Probably because it will be talked about nationally for the whole week.

QUOTE (KyYlE23 @ Dec 11, 2011 -> 07:44 PM) Yeah, but with 8 minutes left? They gave the Broncos 5 extra chances to put points on the board because they just handed the ball off three times and out. the Barber decision was ridiculous I agree, but come the f*** on, if you cant trust Hanie to throw the ball once with 8 minutes left in the game then something is seriously wrong Yes. Something is seriously wrong. The Bears know that something is seriously wrong and tried to run the clock out.

QUOTE (southsideirish71 @ Dec 11, 2011 -> 07:22 PM) If we have our real QB and our real RB in there. We win this game in convincing fashion. We have the replacement players out there, and we have to deal with the Tim Tebow cock suck fest. God injured the Bears players. I don't think there is another explanation.

This game was over. Twice. Of course, as obvious as the Barber mistakes were, the defense has really struggled with assignments in the secondary at the end of the game.

I've never seen anything like this.

Well the Bears can't get first downs, so either Hester returns it or the game is over.

I think I figured out my fermentation problem. It wasn't warm enough. It's been cold and most of the day we leave the temp at about 67 degrees. That the low end of yeast's workable temperature. I suspect that's the problem.

There's something odd about this Frosty the Snowman...

QUOTE (knightni @ Dec 9, 2011 -> 05:14 PM) Sam Adams has a new (I think) beer: "Samuel Adams Wee Heavy was inspired by both traditional Scotch ales and Scotch whiskies, for a combination of deep roasted flavor and earthy smoke character. Traditional Scottish ales vary in intensity with the strong ales known as Scotch Ale or “Wee Heavy”. To create our own version of the style we added peat smoked malt to bring the unique flavor of Scotland to this complex and satisfying brew. " They actually have a pile of new beers this season. All of their Barrel rooms are now available, plus they have a some other series that I haven't tried yet. The wee heavy was quite good as I recall and I love me some scotch ale. If you find the barrel room stuff, like the New World Tripel, grab it. That's good drinking.

The ginger beer did not ferment. I really don't know why but it was flat. But, it did taste pretty good and it was quite refreshing so it's not all bad.

QUOTE (MexSoxFan#1 @ Dec 9, 2011 -> 01:35 PM) I heard somewhere that Rose texted LBJ about wanting to play with him. He did. But only to apologize for not calling him when everyone else was. Rose doesn't call people and doesn't recruit.

QUOTE (bigruss22 @ Dec 9, 2011 -> 10:44 AM) Yea suggestions like these are great too! El Dorado 21 year old rum is something I've wanted to try but I wouldn't drop that much coin. I know I can get it cheaper than Binny's is advertising though.

QUOTE (FlaSoxxJim @ Dec 9, 2011 -> 10:22 AM) Very Adventurous! Let me know how it comes out. I have been cheating and using a Soda Stream to carbonate quick-made ginger beer using a Jamaican ginger beer syrup, but I am hoping to try the Audrey Saunders recipe that Jim Meehan published in the awesome PDT cocktail book. PDT doesn't carbonate their housemade ginger beer but I will definitely give mine some carbonation. Well I just had to google the ginger beer syrup and saw this. I don't know if that's what you are talking about but now I feel like I must have it! Part of my Christmas gifts to my in-laws will be some good syrups because they love the tiki I've introduced them to. So I will make a bunch of passion fruit, and maybe orgeat. I don't know if they like ginger but the syrup might be a simple idea.

QUOTE (bigruss22 @ Dec 9, 2011 -> 10:09 AM) I want to buy my brother something unique in the drinking world for christmas but I really don't think there isn't anything he has tried or owns . Any suggestions? Do you both live in the Chicago area or are you in different places?

So on Tuesday I gave a shot at my first ginger beer following Morgenthaler's recipe. Grating and juicing the ginger was a total pain in the ass. I was hoping for about 2 oz of juice from a whole root but got about 1.5 oz. So 1oz went to the beer, mixed with lemon and simple syrup in my shiny new swing top bottle. I used whatever Red Star wine yeast my homebrew supply store had (I'm not sure it makes a huge difference given the short fermentation time). The recipe called for 25 granules of yeast which is a pain in the ass to count. I know I went over but the bottle didn't explode. My 16 oz bottle is now chilling in the fridge following 48 hours of fermenting. I'm a bit nervous that it didn't ferment but it certainly looks like something happened to the yeast. There is a lot of sediment and it sorta looks like a bottle conditioned beer. I'll be grabbing some Goslings on the way home to try out a dark and stormy. Even if not particularly carbonated I hope it tastes good. I'm sure I can get some use out of it one way or another. I already have plans to mix some more this weekend. Perhaps adding vanilla. I also forgot to add cream of tartar to this batch. Well, I actually remembered to add it after putting in the yeast but at that point I was afraid of killing the yeast or something so I just skipped it. I'll be better prepared next time. What did I do with the other .5 of ginger juice? I mixed it with 1 oz of lime juice, 1.5 simple, and pineapple juice to taste. That came out exceptionally well. Depending on the amount of pineapple, this can be very hot to just a taste of ginger. I added too much pineapple for me, but it left just enough ginger to know it was there. But the end of it, the heat was sitting on my tongue. It's a drink I'm kinda craving right now...

QUOTE (Milkman delivers @ Dec 7, 2011 -> 06:27 PM) Is he saying that his wife might kill herself first? That is what I meant yes.

QUOTE (Tex @ Dec 7, 2011 -> 04:12 PM) If I were a betting man, I would say Sandusky will be dead within a year from his own hands. Does he even know what he did wrong? The wife might go first.

I am basically buying for everyone. We have secret santas with immediate family (both my side and my in-laws), and cousins. Then I have to buy for two nephews and a niece (which was the only enjoyable shopping I did. I really miss Toys-R-Us). Plus parents, aunts and uncles on each side. It's totally ridiculous. These people aren't young so buying stuff sucks. It's an annual exchange of gift cards. All of these have spending limits but the volume of purchases adds up. /rant

QUOTE (Cali @ Dec 2, 2011 -> 02:04 PM) He's so mentally fragile when it comes to hitting, unless the Sox hire a sports psychologist for him I don't see him doing a whole lot in a Sox uniform. They hired a psychologist for the team last year. How'd that go?