caulfield12

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/agriculture/2018/06/01/mexico-pork-tariff-trade-war-threats-iowa-producer-losses-trump-steel-canada-china-exports-ham/663212002/ Iowa farm losses (pork/soybeans) could approach $560 million... Kushner's dad returns fire on "ethics watchdogs" Jared Kushner’s father, real estate magnate Charles Kushner, slammed federal ethics watchdogs who have been hounding him and his son, calling them “jerks” who can’t get a “real job.” He also insisted the watchdogs keep “rich, smart, successful people” out of government jobs. “All they want to do is assure that poor, not successful people go into government,” Charles Kushner told The Real Deal in an interview published Friday. “Because if you’re successful, you shouldn’t be penalized by stupid ethics watchdogs raising things that are potential.” He went on to complain about attacks and the “barrage of negative media” against his son, despite the “sacrifice” Jared Kushner has made as a public servant. “I look at what my kids have sacrificed to go into government, with the only intent of doing good for this country and for the world, and to help people,” he said, apparently referring to Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, according to the Real Deal. “They sacrificed a lot.” Just last week, as the Trump administration continued to hammer out details for the North Korean summit, two South Korean financial firms — Nonghyup Bank and trusts linked to IGIS Asset Management — bought $100 million of debt on a residential building that’s partially owned by the Kushner family in the Trump Bay Street complex in New Jersey, Bloomberg reported. Jared Kushner still has a stake in the property, according to Bloomberg. The family businesses have received hundreds of millions in loans from major Israeli financial firms even as Jared Kushner is charged with forging a balanced peace in the Middle East. The Kushners were also criticized early last year for attempting to woo Chinese investments for projects by highlighting Jared Kushner’s ties to the White House. Three months after Trump’s inauguration, Charles Kushner also pressed a Qatari official for a $500 million loan from a government-controlled investment fund, The Intercept reported. Charles Kushner later confirmed to The Washington Post that he attended a meeting with the official but would not have accepted funds. Weeks after Qatar reportedly refused to provide a loan, Jared Kushner backed a puzzling blockade against the nation enacted by Saudi Arabia. https://www.yahoo.com/news/jared-kushner-apos-father-rips-003733349.html

http://www.phillyvoice.com/phillies-first-round-pick-history-2018-mlb-draft-preview-evan-macy/ Interesting, Phillies only have ONE pick in the first 103 selections...four of their last 5 #1 picks have been position players, FWIW.

Actually, I was banned 10 days...but I told them I wanted a lifetime ban instead. I brought one of my best friends (and a huge White Sox fan) to that board...and a number of the mods/veteran posters were jumping all over him about his taste in music, of all things. He was banned, so that was pretty much the end of my participation over there. At that time, I knew posting on such an intolerant board would never work out, and running it that way has proven to be a disaster for that particular site. But yeah, I've been posting since the ncorgl/colsat46 "reign" on chisox.com. He and Marty34 always stood out the most, for some reason.

That's why I have always put the White Sox with the Astros, Rockies/DBacks and Mariners if we're comparing markets...granted, some of that must still be related to the devastating natural disaster HOU went through. Minnesota is kind of in that area where the White Sox were 5-7 years ago...with a young core of Berrios/Romero/Kepler/Sano/Buxton, but the problem is Buxton has never lived up to his offensive potential, Sano's falling off (off-field issues as well)...kind of in no man's land because they haven't been willing to run payroll into that $130-150 million range (and too much is invested in Mauer). That park has been open around nine years...almost a decade. Fwiw, the last REALLY good Twins' team was that 2010 version that got spanked by the Yankees. Will go to a game there June 5th (against the Orioles, rotten luck) for the first time, am interested to see it. The other big surprise from that list is how well SD draws for a pretty terrible MLB team.

https://www.milb.com/milb/news/chicago-white-sox-prospect-dylan-cease-tosses-six-one-hit-innings/c-279654240 Dylan Cease article....about maturing as a pitcher instead of just a thrower, working on off-speed stuff, bouncing back from one bad outing, etc.

I'm already preparing my updating Madrigal thread if we fail to take him (obviously not if he's selected 1-3)...

Kasich is never going to be accepted by Democrats (on a potential split ticket) because of his far to the right of conservative social views (which really didn't arise in the primaries because nobody got any breathing room with Trump.) I would AGREE the 2016 version was the "adult in the room" and said some appealing things, mostly on bread and butter economics, balancing budgets, etc. He is perceived to be on of the Republicans who at least pays lip service to poverty/income-inequality issues.

It (along with tariff wars in Heartland) is already having a measurable effect on both itinerant farm workers as well as those working in the beef/pork/chicken slaughterhouses.

So you argue you want substantive/policy-based discussions...but don't make an attempt to read. Then you turn around and get upset when we don't spend hours and hours going down the youtube conspiracy rabbit hole sites, that are targeted at PERHAPS 3-5% of people in the country and can't possibly be taken at face value by independents/moderates or Democrats.

Covey and Lopez, Rodon back...four top RHP prospects in waiting, doesn't even include Giolito bouncing back.

Bummer? If not Giolito, hard to say...we don’t need three lefties. Doubt Volstad and Santiago are departing...temporary six man rotation before Shields is dumped?

The biggest thing is IP/experience and developing his three secondary pitches. Realizing he can use deception as well as overpowering fastball, especially 2nd and 3rd time through...as well as working back into counts, when he starts out behind 3-0, 2-1, 2-0, etc.

After today, back up to 26th...pretty successful weekend all-around. http://www.espn.com/mlb/attendance Average=16,906

See N.Jones, Reed, Santiago...

When is Robert going to be sent to W-S?

Well, he’s probably better than Jacob May...and, if only Brian Anderson could have averaged a 675-700 ops, we would have had ourselves a player.

Palka At 880 ops. Engel almost to 600 at 593... Is this the worst 7-9 in MLB history?

Dan Pasqua-esque. Guess I should call out Engel more often, haha.

Having Engel bat 5th is nuts...

4. Chicago White Sox: Nick Madrigal, 2B, Oregon State This could unfold a number of ways, but I think the Chicago White Soxare so enamored with Madrigal’s hit tool that they take him off the board at No. 4. Singer, Bart, South Alabama center fielder Travis Swaggerty and Wisconsin prep outfielder Jarred Kelenic are all in the mix here. 5. Cincinnati Reds: Brady Singer, RHP, Florida The Cincinnati Reds love Singer, so they get lucky that he falls this far. He entered the year as the consensus top player in the draft but faltered a bit early on. If Bart somehow drops out of the top four, he could be the pick, as could Madrigal. https://thebiglead.com/2018/05/30/2018-mlb-mock-draft-college-players-fly-off-the-board-early/

Unfortunately, I think we have Ohtani, the Cubs and Orioles in the same low attendance month...

Use the language of the Left to defeat them! Textbook example on how to effectively deal with the leftist, PC/SJW, libTURD/TARD media. Let's make this video go viral!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHWCuZLwFiE Here you go, Rabbit...

http://www.sacbee.com/sports/mlb/article212362854.html Madrigal talks draft, idols, OSU baseball Blueprint of a baseball player’: Elk Grove's Nick Madrigal is an inch from MLB history BY JOE DAVIDSON [email protected] June 01, 2018 09:53 PM CORVALIS, ORE. Mike Parker is in his 20th season calling baseball on the radio for Oregon State, and he's asking listeners to bare witness to something special. "I’ve been saying on the broadcasts to savor these last games, because we won't see a guy like Nick again," Parker said. "I’m starting to miss him already." That would be Nick Madrigal, slight of built and immeasurably titanic in this sport otherwise. The second baseman out of Elk Grove High School is at the forefront of the Beavers' College World Series hopes and is projected as a top-five pick in Monday's Major League Baseball draft. If he goes in the top six picks, Madrigal would be the highest drafted regional player in any of the major sports (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL). And, depending on whom you believe, he would either be the shortest player picked that highly since the June draft began in 1965, or an inch from the record. Oregon State lists him as 5-foot-8; his father says he's 5-7. Mike Madrigal, after all, was there for his son's premature birth 21 years ago, when Nick arrived at just under 4 pounds alongside his slightly heavier twin, Ty. "Nick's been small his whole life, but that has never ever slowed him down," Mike Madrigal said. "He was so small at birth, I could put the twins in the palm of each hand. As soon as Nick was old enough to walk and hold a Wiffle ball bat, he did. He'd rather do that than ride a bike." Madrigal will be in Corvallis on draft day, on a couch, if not in the OSU batting cages, where he often winds up even after a three-hour practice. He will be in the rented house he shares with scores of teammates located barely a relay throw from campus. Family and friends will pack in, but no media, despite inquiries from across the country. M This is typical of Madrigal's low-key nature. "Genuine class and humility is what I think when it comes to Nick Madrigal," Parker said, poring over game notes and looking out from the Goss Stadium press box, eyeing the prized infielder. OSU coach Pat Casey is also big on his leader, a three-year rock of reliability in the field, in the lineup and as an example of never being satisfied. The Beavers have one captain this season: Madrigal, which speaks of his team-wide reputation. Madrigal is batting .395 with 27 RBIs despite missing 26 games with a hand injury. He has struck out just five times in 119 at-bats. "He's unbelievable," Casey said. "He's going to be a big leaguer in a short period of time. He's going to play the game for a long time. His instincts are off the charts. I give him a ton of freedom because he's a thoroughbred and you've got to turn him loose. "Who ever drafts him will get an absolute jewel of a player. If you had a blueprint of a baseball player, Nick's picture would be there. That's all you'd need – Nick." Casey said Madrigal's skills trump any question of size. MLB evaluators suggest the same thing. "Size isn't a problem because the kid can flat-out play," said a National League scout who requested anonymity. According to Baseball Reference's records back to 1965, the only middle infielder drafted in the first round at 5-8 or shorter was Joey Cora, who at 5-7 went 23rd overall to San Diego in 1995. Further proof that players can perform regardless of height: Dustin Pedroia at 5-9 won the A.L. MVP in 2008 (and The Bee's 2001 Player of the Year award at Woodland High). Jose Altuve of the Astros and Ozzie Albies of the Braves have also enjoyed MLB success at 5-8 or shorter. These players worked their way up from their roots in the Sacramento area to play in the majors. Here's a look at who is where on MLB rosters for the 2018 season. Photos by The Associated Press. Angel Guerrero "Just a driven kid. He knows what he wants," Mike Madrigal said. "At age 8, 10, 12, 13, he knew what he wanted to be. His brother Ty wanted to be a fireman (and is a pitcher at Saint Mary's now). Nick wanted to be a ballplayer. Scouts tell me he's compared to Altuve. He's going to be a big leaguer. Wow." Baseball executives have picked his brain on his son, he said. What makes him tick, and just how competitive is he? "One asked me who won in ping pong between me and Nick," Mike Madrigal said from the OSU stadium seats. "I took a deep breath and told the truth: Nick. My son's paddle was broken, ball ruined, and that's how competitive he is." After a recent series against UCLA, Nick Madrigal reflected on how far he's come. He admits the draft is on his mind, especially given the media attention, but he still refers to it as, "If I'm fortunate enough to get drafted." "I remember sitting in a room as a little kid, watching baseball, and I just knew that's what I wanted to do with my life," he said. "Some people wish and hope but I set goals and I try to hold myself to them. I'll never stop working." Madrigal counts Jake Rodriguez, a former Elk Grove High and OSU standout, as one of his role models. He was inspired by Rodriguez's ability to handle pressure situations and how seriously he took the sport. Now on the OSU coaching staff, Rodriguez heaps praise on the pupil. "He's by far the best player and person I have been around," said Rodriguez, an All-Pac-12 honorable mention catcher/infielder in 2012. "He is the ultimate teammate and handles success and failure with the utmost class. His play on the field speaks for itself. He has the best baseball IQ I’ve seen from a player in my time as a ballplayer and coach." Rodriguez added, "What's so special about Nick is his willingness to treat everyone with dignity and respect. He will sign every autograph and take every picture." Mike Madrigal could have envisioned a lot of autograph signings ahead for his son after he received his first scholarship offer. It was from OSU well before Madrigal played an inning of high school baseball. "We thought, 'An offer in eighth grade? You kidding? This is unreal.' Then I started to think, what is this? Is Nick going to be another LeBron James or Bryce Harper?' You have to catch yourself. He's not one of them," he said. "He's just going to be the best Nick he can be." Nick said they were unsure of how to handle the early offer, but that he wouldn't change a thing. "It was unheard of and it was a surprise to get that offer," he said. "But once I visited here, I fell in love with the program. It's all worked out perfectly – everything."

Perhaps better for the Sox. Better overall is quite subjective.

That’s what happens when you overlook character to add talent...karma turns him into Devenski on another team.