iamshack

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jul 5, 2014 -> 06:41 AM) No, I was stating we could contend now if we had a stockpile like that. However we still have one of the best hitters and pitchers in he league secured for many years. Unless the cubs develop those guys into that high of a level they can't vault past us. And I also believe in Hahns ability to acquire enough talent around them. Prospects are great but as we have seen with other trades like this they aren't a sure of a thing as what we already have. Now if they flip a prospect or two for a real top line starter they will be getting there. Signing Rizzo to that long term deal seems pretty brilliant right now. Well the key to the Cubs (and the Astros for that matter), is just the sheer depth of talent... They're going to be bringing them up in waves...

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jul 5, 2014 -> 06:28 AM) I don't think I've been mocking them. I'd like to see what he does with these players though before calling him a genius. For the sox. We have some holes on the roster that are because of injuries and also lack of minor league talent. We also need to fill bullpen slots which is something that is hard to do by trading away valuable talent or even signing. The bullpen is so important yet it's one of the most difficult things to solve. But we aren't that far away from being in serious contention. And when that happens both sides of town should be competitive like the good ol days. Then we will really see some hate. Well, I read your comments regarding trading these prospects right back away for mlb talent as mocking... As for the Sox, I like what Hahn is doing...and it appears we have two of the brighter stars in baseball, but I think the Cubs may vault right past us in a few years in terms of talent and newsworthiness. Imagine a young nucleus of superstar talent on the Cubs, of all teams...the Sox may very well be an afterthought for a few years unless they are making consistent postseason appearances.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jul 5, 2014 -> 06:18 AM) They clearly are going to be one of the busier teams next winter when it's all said and done which is interesting. I'd love it if we had that many top prospects to trade for mlb players. We would fill our holes in the big league roster now. They may very well end up trading some of them away; and I get your mocking of them, I do. But when they get 5-6 of these guys playing together and start tasting some success, they're going to be able to acquire any number of mlb pieces to fill in any holes remaining from their farm system, either via FA, or trade. And the sad thing is, at least for envious Sox fans, that Hammel will just come back and sign with them again next offseason.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jul 5, 2014 -> 06:13 AM) I don't see much hate, I see a good discussion. Oh come on...there is some clear jealousy/envy/insecurity going on in this thread. If this was the Astros that made this trade, I believe the tone would be far different.

At the very least, that organization is going to become extremely interesting to watch in the next few years. A lot of folks poke fun at the Cubs "plan," but I absolutely admire their patience and resolve to stick with it.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jul 5, 2014 -> 04:55 AM) It is funny when the Sox acquire a prospect rated in the 70-95 range it is awesome, but when the Cubs get a top 15 guy, it is just dumb. Theo is a dope, but could you imagine what a genius Hahn would be if he had 3 of the top 15 and 6 of the top 41 in the Sox minor league system? Samardz has never finished a season as a starter with an ERA lower than 3.81. He is 29. He wants more than $100 million.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 3, 2014 -> 07:20 AM) I agree. How FDR is not at the top of a "worst president since WWII" list is a question I'll never understand.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jul 2, 2014 -> 04:35 PM) I think our whole political system is a complete train wreck right now (just better then plenty of other places still) but I think he's a failure for the reasons our country is becoming a failure. More and more people in our country are expecting things from the government and expecting to receive hand outs and more and more of those people construe the voting public, therefor, we are getting to a place with less and less self empowerment and more and more government dependency (since you have to pan handle to that majority to win). I blasted Bush on this site for his role increasing the government and it has gotten even worse. It is an utter joke in my opinion. The republicans don't help things by focusing on what I consider to be social issues that are far less important then the broad base government bloat that is going on. I do not want to rely on the government to get me places. I rely on myself and my family. It is the same problem with society as a whole. Lets figure out what excuses to make and who to blame vs. taking ownership and responsibility. Ugh...the first point you made pretty much precludes anyone from being anything other than a failure in my mind.

Thanks guys...I appreciate the willingness to help! Maybe the company will do well and you guys can all work the Chicago office

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Jul 2, 2014 -> 09:14 AM) no non-competes to worry about? Not for her; most of us do not have contracts here. Although one of the other potential partners would have a 2-year non-compete in a particular area of the general field. We'll have to figure out a way around that...most likely going to have her look into some slightly different areas.

QUOTE (LittleHurt05 @ Jul 1, 2014 -> 08:33 PM) While she is still working the other job, just try to make and keep as many solid business relationships as possible right now, you never know when those people could come in handy in the future. I don't know what kind of customer base her business would draw, but having potential customers lined up right when you start is huge, just get some money and stability flowing in right away. Yeah, she would most likely leave after we felt there was an anchor customer or two that could be had.

QUOTE (Jake @ Jul 1, 2014 -> 10:16 AM) Make sure your business fills a need. If you're the type of business that serves a geographic area (like a storefront), this is even more important. Talk to your wife about contingencies before you launch. How much money are you willing to lose, how much time are you going to allow to get things off the ground, what kinds of personal/social sacrifices are you and aren't you willing to make. On a related note, know when to pull the plug. If it isn't going to work out, then it isn't going to work out. No sunk cost fallacies. I'm of the belief that the small things matter. Every little thing about your company should look excellent to outsiders. Get a good looking logo, a well-designed website (hire a professional if needed and don't accept a mediocre job from them), and ensure all your materials look great and are devoid of things like grammar and spelling errors. Nobody will tell you that these things put them off because it will happen subconsciously. Make all of their interactions with your business give them the expectation that you're great - then, when they actually approach you for whatever service you offer, they'll be convincing themselves that what you say confirms their initial impression that you guys are good. Be personal. Great advice, Jake...thanks! The great thing is we have access to some amazing expertise and talent as a result of our contacts in our current company. And given the fact that our company was recently acquired, we have some folks that are considering walking. There is some incredible potential here...we just have to have the stones to do it and the brains to pull it off.

My wife and I are considering starting a new business in the line of service she currently works in at our company. She is frustrated with some of the politics in her department, has a mastery of their business, and thinks she can do better on her own. I also would like to look for ways to increase our earning power and diversify our careers/income sources a bit. The time is not right now, but it could be time in 6-12 months. Has anyone started their own company/business? Words of wisdom or advice?

Congrats Tex!!

So after years of basically hitting lob shots around the green, I've begun practicing bump and run shots with my gap wedge. Talk about a difference! First of all, the degree of difficulty is less to begin with, so the number of terrible shots I hit is greatly reduced, almost practically eliminated (versus the lob shots, which I might skull 1-2 out of 10). Secondly, the number of shots hit within 3 feet of the hole have been dramatically increased. I don't know why I resisted this shot for so long. I always figured the best play was to take as much of the green's undulations out of play as possible, by carrying the ball to the hole as far as possible. But it's just such a more difficult shot to execute...I was throwing away shots left and right and maybe benefiting from that one great lob shot per round. What a waste...

QUOTE (pettie4sox @ Jun 25, 2014 -> 09:55 AM) Had a phone interview on Monday now I a face to face interview tomorrow. Hopefully I get this gig. Good luck!

QUOTE (Quinarvy @ Jun 24, 2014 -> 12:36 PM) All praise be unto him. And the blood of his penis!

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Jun 24, 2014 -> 12:34 PM) Headed for Eugene, Oregon for a wedding on 4th of July weekend. Any recommendations gladly accepted! Damn, the entire state is just gorgeous. Make sure you visit the coast...very underrated stuff. Rogue Brewery Co is up that way somewhere too...

As you guys probably know by now, I actually enjoy job hunting...I find it exciting to look at doing different things for different companies in different locations. It's not so much the hunting part that I hate, but the moving part that sucks.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jun 24, 2014 -> 08:52 AM) You can buy those white drivers on an extremely discounted price everywhere at this point. When they came out every duffer on the planet went and bought one and none of them could hit it. My wife has one And I did get it for $100 a few months ago. Got my set of AP2 714's on saturday...much, much, much more forgiving. I'm still trying to dial in the distances. I think I'm at least a club to a club and a half longer, especially with the longer irons. I hit a 4-iron to the back of the green on a 230 yard par-3 Sunday afternoon. Still getting accustomed to the swingweight. All in all, very pleased so far.

Forbes People who stay with the same company for more than 2 years make 50% less...

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Jun 21, 2014 -> 09:09 AM) Interesting question, not sure if we (the public) has access to the data to find out. FG shows league-wide HR/FB% back to 2002, and it is always around 10-11% during that period. Not sure how far you havve to go back to see a significant change, though. So it's been relatively static since 2002?

The problem is more that Dayan didn't park that ball 20 rows into the left field stands, not that he didn't take it.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Jun 20, 2014 -> 04:00 PM) Yeah, totally. On average, I'd say people would choose to return to the days of the bubonic plague, when lifespans averaged 25-30 years, and when insane religious-driven governments ran Inquisitions and committed mass genocides unchecked across the developed world. Because, you know, progress isn't worthwhile unless it instantly creates Utopia. But baseball... The original point that wite was making is that we have information that tells us that his results have not lined up with his batted ball profile, which is a sign of impending negative regression. It was not that Danks is a garbage pitcher. Question for you...have fly balls always been as dangerous as in recent history (say the last 20 years), or is that a more recent phenomenon brought about as a result of the newer, smaller ballparks and the steroid era?

QUOTE (lasttriptotulsa @ Jun 20, 2014 -> 04:18 PM) Hey sometimes it works out good. The Chiefs sure found a diamond in the rough when they picked up the Hanson brothers. Those guys are retards!