DBAHO

QUOTE (chimpy2121 @ Apr 10, 2008 -> 09:44 PM) Yeah, I was there for my first NBA game... I gota say I was disappointed with the Amway Arena. We got their as soon as the gates were open and the floors were already sticky everywhere you'd go. Also, this is a small complaint, but there are no cup holders on the seats (no wonder the floor was sticky, I guess they never mop?). I also don't like how both levels have to jam into one concourse (it was hell walking through there). There are some other things, but I guess I was just expecting a little bit better arena. I guess this is why they are getting a new one though. I did enjoy their fan interactions though, they were pretty enjoyable. One last thought, Dwight is awesome. Yeah that arena's become a bit of a joke really, hence why they're getting a new one as you said. And even J.J Redick got an appearance, so that's saying something of how lopsided the game was.

Is your interview with a big 4 company Keith? Just to add on Kap's and NSS72's points, they've pretty much hit the nail on the head. When I talk about my weaknesses also, I tell the recruiter about things that I've done to try and improve them. E.g I hate public speaking, but I said I took a class at University called Business Communication and one of the main assignments was doing a public presentation in front of a whole bunch of people. Most of all, good luck, and the interview will be really good experience regardless of the end result.

QUOTE (Brian @ Apr 10, 2008 -> 03:01 AM) Rowand and Shadows sitting in a tree.... Bonding over "The Tuna" as well.

Bulls only lost by 32 to the Magic today. Only.

Some blurbs;

Of course all of this is dependent on Crede firing Bora$$ as an agent and re-signing with the Sox. So it's all a wait and see until then.

From Sean Deveney, who's moved from looking after the NBA to MLB now. I didn't see this posted elsewhere, so here it is;

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 9, 2008 -> 01:03 PM) Reportedly, the going rate last offseason on Blanton for one team that asked was "Philip Hughes and Joba Chamberlain". Billy Beane didn't want to trade him last offseason at all. Yeah I can't really see anything changing there with Beane and his demands. Maybe some team will cave at the deadline, we'll see.

Well they both are obviously, but Fields fits more of what they are after right now IMHO. The Giants lineup is the worst in baseball, and they need to win as much as they can now to keep filling that ballpark. Fields would help them win more over the next couple of seasons than Linecum IMHO, but Linecum's argubly the better talent obviously. Here's a scenario though. If the Sox could include Contreras in a deal, and pay at least 50% of his salary for the next couple of seasons (can't remember if he has a NTC), would you do that deal, Contreras and Fields for Linecum. Jose could put up decent numbers pitching in the NL and in that ballpark I'd think.

Yeah I made that mistake with my laptop R.E Vista, especially for games. Actually while we're on the subject, what's the best gaming laptop out there ATM (I'm also talking value wise), if anyone has any ideas.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Apr 9, 2008 -> 01:00 PM) Would you trade Egbert and Brian Anderson? Yeah I probably would. But the Sox would have to dump Contreras on someone first.

Harden's still too much of an injury risk for mine. I'd probably target Blanton if I was going with one of the 2, but he's quite similar to Garland really. I still prefer the idea of targeting either Cain or Linecum using a package including Fields. The Giants are desperate for help in that lineup, and Fields would be an ideal building block for them.

Blah. I had food poisoning on the weekend, and I'm still throwing up 4 days later. Not a fun experience to be had.

They also fired another Bill Wirtz lackey as well, head of marketing or something. As for the 11th pick, take the best available. I think there's a group of 8-9 or so who are the top tier, and if 1 of those guys slide, take them.

QUOTE (SoxAce @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 06:17 PM) Yea now I can't sneak up on you... when you come back to the U.S. We are still drinking though.. some day. It may be sooner than you think.

Yeah I prefer the white and grey jerseys moreso myself. But each to their own. Not much you can really nitpick with this team right now, which is a good thing.

"What's worse, the grand slam or the pain down below".

Joe, just keep doing what you're doing, and this team will be a better team for it. Certainly too early, but it's been a very promising start nonetheless, and he's still got his "clutch-i-ness".

This was from John Sickels from minorleagueball.com back in May 2006 about Quentin compared to another prospect at the time, Joel Guzman (who's now with Durham the Rays AAA team IIRC);

QUOTE(bmags @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 12:45 AM) I don't believe China should be allowed to do anything on the world stage until they treat their people like all the other countries on the world stage. Those are pretty much my thoughts on the situation also. There's not exactly a whole lot of "free speech" in China going on, and they're very quick to stamp out those type of things. As for the city itself and the pollution, well there's another reason. Some athletes have withdrawn already, because they don't want to deal wth that, and that says it all really.

Here's a quick background on Tibet FWIW; Also I think the ruling government of Taiwan wants indepedence now from China and to be recognised as its own country right?

Ozzie may have gotten the reputation for favoring latino's, when he used Andy Gonzalez last season for example. But as pointed out above with the use of Pods, Erstad etc., that really isn't the case.

It's safe to say, Quentin's been a bit of a revelation over the past 3 games. When we acquired him, I hoped he would be our LF from day 1, and when Swisher was acquired, I thought a Quentin - Swisher - Dye OF would be the best for this team this season. But there was a LOT of pressure on here during ST for Brian Anderson to get a starting gig in CF. And then with Ramirez doing what he did in ST, Quentin became sort of the forgotten man (recovering from the shoulder surgery). Coming into this season, I thought if healthy, Quentin was capable of hitting at least 20 HR's and having an .800-.850 OPS. And some people may think I'm silly for a prediction like that. But then again, have a look at his track record; 2005 - AAA; .301/.422/.520 2006 - AAA; .286/.422/.484, MLB; .253/.342/.530 2007 - AAA; .348/.430/..574; MLB; .214/.298/.349 So this guy has just crushed minor league pitching in his career thus far. And it was only with his injury last season that he really struggled in the majors, and with the D-Backs having an OF of Byrnes, Young and Upton, he became expendable. So what do people think of him? Is he a building block? Is he a core guy now? Does he deserve to be considered a bonafide starter now, or is it still way too early for that (which I'm sure will probably be the main argument because of the small sample size). Either way, I think this could end up being one of KW's best ever deals. Quentin has to stay healthy though.

QUOTE(Alpha Dog @ Apr 8, 2008 -> 12:09 AM) This is why I never want the olympics here again. That, and the threat of terrorists screwing everything up. Do you think if America had the Olympics in 04 or 08, you'd be getting a lot of protestors about the war in Iraq. Just on Tibet, I fully support the protests. Tibet deserves to be its own country IMHO, as China's been weeding out the Tibetan culture for over 60 years by importing its own people in there.

I'll be ZZZZZZ unfortunately. But everyone who is going, have a great time and hopefully we can put a win on the board.