Texsox

It's also an investment of course. Thank you for pointing it out.

I just keep checking this thread to make sure it wasn't a dream.

I know one thing. You give money to people that already have a debt free existence without worrying about their subsidence and they may spend it or they may save it. It may move to the middle and lower incomes. Give money to the middle and lower incomes and it will get spent quickly and head up to the upper income folks. So let's allow the 95% to touch it for a moment.

My hunch is many people will swap that debt for other debt. House. Car. More education. Financed furniture. Vacations. Home repairs. Life. But some will invest. Save. I know one family that is moving that money to their kid's education fund so he won't have the same issues they had. I really liked hearing that. Using the solution to avoid the same problem later. I was chatting with a couple who is inclined to be anti relief. I pointed out it was less than the government incentives that were given to them to buy two EVs from "the most successful car maker in history". They {quietly} drove off. Everyone loves to receive.

There was a long closed bar up near the chain that back in the 80s had a Sunday cribbage tournament. I was the only player under 60. I lost my ass most times but the other guys were hilarious.

That's exactly how I perceived the clubhouse. Tony allowed these guys to do their own thing and trusted them to be ready and Tony was very wrong. I think we learned that modern players need a little in your face energy from a manager.

I just want to not think about baseball. Tough when I see a constant barrage of gear. I feel like Robert Neville.* *Token obscure literary reference.

Pulling for a nice walk off.

Now matter who they add it will still be the same sorry franchise. I wish a manager would really make a difference. It's just dressing up a pig. Franchises just seem to stay the same. Who was the last MLB owner that really made a difference versus how many ownership changes just didn't make any difference?

I don't think the locker room was toxic. He just let the guys be guys. It didn't seem like he did anything. The fans were toxic but the players all seemed to get along fine.

His loyalty is nauseating.

Wow, $130,000 towards the $150,000 goal!

I like this.

By the way what I described was exactly what the Cubs did in 1961 to about 1965. Verbatim.

We should form a college of coaches. Gather together eight coaches from across the various disciplines and they can co-manage the team. I'd pick four from the MLB team and four from the MiLB system. In fact the eight would rotate through the entire system establishing a consistent managerial expectation throughout the organization. Even better this will allow for a relief manager just like a relief pitcher. If a manager is having a bad game or even falling asleep, a relief manager could take over. Let's also replace Hahn with a college style athletic director, preferably with no baseball experience. But keep him around for no apparent reason. Sometimes reality is funnier than comedy.

Would anyone give Hahn some slack if it turns out deals he had in place were vetoed by JR or Tony? It seems Tony was hired without his involvement. He's going to be back. I don't want to spend *my* winter bitching about the organization. So I'm just going to hope this was all Tony and JR's mess and there is a fix.

A top tier staff filled with broken s%*#, aging vets, and overrated hacks. Seems like Menechino is dealing with the same issues only worse.

If this team played to their potential. The potential most everyone here thought was possible. A division title and a first round playoff win. Would there be a fire Hahn thread? Was the lack of success Tony and the friends and family coaching staff he put together or most everyone misjudged the talent on the roster? I'm all in on the fire everyone bandwagon. I'm just fascinated by Hahn's situation. Usually I judge the GM on opening day and what happens after that on managing and coaching. Using that formula Hahn isn't looking like someone that should be chased with pitchforks and torches.

Most hitting coaches could get quality at bats from Harrison, Garcia, and the rest. Hahn handed him a gold mine of talent that he squandered. Or, like Katz, he was given crap to work with and the results show it. I honestly don't know which. Initially I really thought this roster sucked. Then when everyone here and the betting lines had them as a top team, I began thinking I was wrong and Hahn put together a decent roster. Coaching or bad players? When is a bottom five franchise probably both.

Nor should they. I'd do that out of respect to the HoF.

Black Sox. Nearly destroyed baseball. Would anyone here give JR a pass if it was learned his team threw last year's playoff series because he was cheap? But I'll give you Charles as your #1. Anyone you want to fit in between? One hundred years of other owners to choose from. I'm not saying he's a good owner, I'm suggesting this is one of the worst franchise in all of sports. It was when he bought it and it still is. From the lowest paid to the owner's box, they all suck and have for most of the 100 plus years.

I don't believe Chicago was as unpopular as Florida with the local fans.

Stadiums aren't built anymore for the average fan. Lux suites and television are far more important.

So you'll be happy with another no money owner? It's a long history of owners, managers, coaches, scouts, secretaries, janitors, and players not winning anything.

So where does JR rank? I'll give you Charles in first. Although I imagine in today's world he might have been forced to sell after the scandal. Sadly Charles was one hundred years ago.